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HISTORY 



D 



KE AND DUBOIS COUNTIES 



INDIANA. 



From the Earliest Time to the Present ; with Biographical Sketches, 

Reminiscences, Notes,. Etc.; Together with an Extended 

eilstory of the northwest, the indiana territory 

AND THE State of Indiana. 



A Reproduction by 
Unigraphic, Inc. 

4400 Jackson Ave. 
Evansville, Indiana 



Chicago: 
GOODSPEED BROS. & CO. 

1885. 



PUBLISHERS, 






^$5 All 



^"tl^^ 



PREFACE. 



/~\UR history of Pike and Dubois Counties, after months of per- 
V^ sistent, conscientious labor, is now completed. Every impor- 
tant field of research has been minutely scanned by those engaged in 
its preparation, and no subject of universal public value has been 
omitted save where protracted effort failed to sec are trustworthy re- 
sults. The impossibility of ingrafting upon the pages of this volume 
the vast fund of the counties' historic information, and the proper 
omission of many valueless details, have compelled the publishers to 
select such matters as are deemed of the greatest importance. Fully 
aware of our inability to furnish a perfect history from meager public 
documents, inaccurate private correspondence, and numberless con- 
flicting traditions, we mate* no pretension of having prepared a work 
devoid of blemish. Through the courtesy and the generous assist- 
ance met with everywhere, we have been enabled to rescue from 
oblivion the greater portion of important events that have transpired 
in past years. We feel assured that all thoughtful people in the 
counties, at present and in futm-e, will recognize and appreciate the 
importance of the undertaking and the great public benefit that has 
been accomplished. 

It will be observed that a diy statement of fact has been avoided, 
and that the rich romance of border incident has been woven with 
statistical details, thus forming an attractive and graphic narrative, 
and lending beauty to the mechahical execution of the volume and ad- 
ditional value to it as a work for perusal. We claim superior excel- 
lence in our systematic manner of collecting material by workers in 
specialties; in the division of the subject matter into distinct and ap- 
propriate chapters; in the subdivision of the individual chapters into 
topics, and in the ample and comprehensive index. We also, with 
pride, call the attention of the public to the superb mechanical execu- 
tion of the volume. While we acknowledge the existence of unavoid- 
able errors, we have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our 
promises, and as accurate and comprehensive as could be expected 
under the circumstances. 

December, 1885. THE PUBLISHERS. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I.-HISTOKT OF INDIANA. 



CHAPTER I. PAGE. 

Prehistoric Races 17 

Antiquities 19 

Chinese, The 18 

Discovery by Columbus 33 

Explorations by the Whites 37 

Indians, The 31 

Immigration, The First 18 

Immigration, The Second 20 

Pyramids, etc., The 21 

Relics of the Mound-Builders 23 

Savage Customs 34 

Tartars, The 23 

Vincennes 39 

Wabash River, The 39 

Wnite Men, The First 37 



CHAPTER II. 

National Policies, etc 41 

American Policy, The 46 

Atrocity of the Savages 47 

Burningof Hinton 48 

British Policy, The 4(5 

Clark's Expedition 52 

French Scheme, The 41 

Gilbault, Father 6.5 

Government of the Northwest 67 

Hamilton's Career 64 

Liquor and Gaming Laws 74 

Missionaries, The sitholic 42 

Ordinanceof 1787 70 

Pontiac's War . 46 

Ruse Against the Indians 64 

Vigo, Francis 66 

CHAPTER IIL 

Operations Against THE Indians 75 

Battle at Peoria Lake 104 

Campaign of Harrison 92 

Cession Treaties 93 

Defeat o' "':. Clair 79 

Defensive Operations 76 

Expedition of Harmer 75 

Expedition of Wayne 79 

Expedition of St. Clair 78 

Expedition of Williamson 78 

Fort Miami, Battle of 80 

Harrison and the Indians 8T 

Hopkins' Campaign 105 

KickapooTown, Burningof 78 

Maumee, Battle of ', 75 

Massacre at Pigeon Roost 103 

Mississinewa Town, Battle at 106 

Oratory, Tecumseh's 114 

Prophet Town, Destruction of ' ,) 

Peace with the Indians 106 

Siege of Fort Wayne 101 

Siege of Fort Harrison 103 

Tecumseh Ill 

Tippecanoe, Battle of 9f 

War of 1812 ; 101 

War of 1812, Close of the 108 

CHAPTER IV. 

Oeqanization op Indiana Territory 82 

Bank, Establishment of -"^O 

Courts, Formation of ^^0 

County Officers, Appointment of 119 

Corydon, the Capitol 117 



PAGE. 

(Jovernor Posey 117 

Indiana in 1810 84 

Population in 1815 118 

Territorial Legislature, The First 84 

I Western Sun, Tho 84 

I CHAPTER V. 

I Grga.nization of TiiK (State, etc 12^ 

j Amendment, The Fifteenth 14" 

Black Hawk War 12'' 

I Constitution, Formation of the 121 

I Campaigns Against the Indians 12^ 

I Defeat of Black Hawk 13O 

I Exodus of the Indians 13I 

General Assembly, The First 122 

] Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Treaty of 142 

Harmony Community 134 

Indian Titles 132 

Immigration 12.'> 

Lafayette, Action at 127 

Land Sales 133 

. Mexican War, The 136 

■ Slavery 144 

CHAPTER VI. 

Indiana in the Rebellion 14S 

Batteries of Light Infantry 182 

Battle Record of States ISH 

Call to Arms, The 140 

Colored Troops of Indiana 1S2 

Calls of 1864 177 

Field. In the 152 

Independent Cavalry Regiment 181 

Morgan's Raid ~. 170 

Mini.te-Men 170 

One Hundred Days' Men 176 

Regiments, Formation of. 151 

Regiments, Sketch of. 153 

Six Months' Regiments 172 

CHAPTER VII. 
State Affairs After the Rebellion... 189 

Agriculture 20' 

Coal 2( 

Divorce Laws 193 

Finances 194 

Geology 205 

Internal Improvements 199 

Indiana Horticultural Society 212 

Indiana Pomological Society 213 

Special Laws 190 

State Bank 196 

State Boarc f Agriculture 209 

State Expositions 210 

Wealth and Progress 197 



CHAPTER VIII. 
Education and Benevolence.., 

Blind Institute, The 

City School System 

Compensation of Teachers., 



215 

232 

218 

220 

Denominational and Private Institu- 
tions 230 

Deaf and Dumb Institute 

Enumeration of Scholars 

Free School System, The 

Funds, Management of the 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Female Prison and Reformatory 241 

House of Refuge, The 243 

Insane Hospital. The 238 

Northern Indiana Normal School 229 

Origin of School Funds 221 

•Purdue University 224 



PAGK. 

School Statistics 218 

State University, The 222 

State Normal School 228 

State Prison, South 239 

State Prison, North 240 

Total School Funds 220 



PABT II.— HISTORY OF PIKE COCWTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

Geology 245 

Economic Geology 249 

Fossils 246 

Local Details ,- 247 

Precious Minerals 250 

Paleozoic Geology 246 

Surlace Features 245 

Streams 245 

Section of the County 246 

Section at Petersburg 247 

Stone and Water 250 

Section at Pikesville 248 

■Section at Martin's Bank 249 

CHAPTER II. 

Settlement op the County 251 

Arrest of Harrison' 256 

Adams Tovrnship 260 

Counterfeiting 267 

Clay Township 257 

Early Elections 253 

Elarly Marriages 268 

Hunters and Trappers 252 

Internal Improvements 266 

Indian Stories 268 

JeflFerson Township 253 

Land Entries 257 

Logan Township 257 

Mound-Builders' Works 270 

Mills and Postoffices 251 

Militia Musters 254 

Madison Township 255 

Mineral Springs, Mines, etc 258 

Monroe Township 259 

Officers, The First 255 

Settlers, The First 251 

"Snake Knob" ■ 262 

Underground Railroad 264 

Voters, Listof 264 

Wild Hogs 263 

Wolf Hunting 262 

Washington Grange 260 

CHAPTER III. 

Organization of the County 273 

Associate Judges 289 

Act of Creation 273 

Agricultural Society 283 

Auditors 287 

Acts of the County Board 274 

Boundary 274 

Collectors and Commissioners 276 

Court Houses and Jails 277 

County and other Libraries 286 

Coroners 286 

Clerks 287 

Circuit Judges 289 

County Agents 289 

County Commissioners 288 

Defalcations 279 

Elections 291 

Finances 280 

Fair Receipts and Expenses 285 

Justices of the Peace 289 

Later Acts of the Board 278 

Later Finances 281 

New Townships 276 

Probate Judges 289 

Population 282 

Paupers, The 282 



Representatives 290 

Recorders 287 

Sheriffs 286 

Surveyors 287 

Senators 290 

Treasurers 287 

Taxes 275 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Bench and Bar 298 

Ad Quod Damnum 307 

Admitted to Practice 308 

Change of Venue 301 

Crime at Camp Meeting 300 

Contested Election, Case of. 313 

Compensation of Judges ". 304 

Divorce Suit 307 

Early Attorneys 305 

First Grand Jurors 299 

First True Bill 299 

Fornication 309 

Forgery, Cases of. 311 

"Judge Lynch" 315 

Judges, First 304 

Kidnapping, Case of 309 

Official Negligence ., ,- 310 

Probate Court, First Session 315 

Record of First Court 298 

Slander Suits 302 

Various Cases enumerated 312 

CHAPTER V. 

Military History 317 

Aid to Soldiers and their Families 334 

Eightieth Regiment 330 

Fatalities of Regiment 323 

Fifty-eighth Regiment 327 

Forty-second Regiment 325 

Incidents 330 

Indiana Legion 331 

Mexican War 319 

Mustered Out 323 

"Not worth a durn" 328 

On "The March to the Sea" 326 

One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment 333 
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regi- 
ment 331 

Officers of Regiment 322 

PikeCountv in the War 320 

Quota For Last Call 334 

Revolutionary Soldiers 317 

Rebellion, The Great 319 

Sixty-fifth Regiment 329 

Soldiers Furnished 333 

Twenty-fourth Regiment 321 

Twenty-seventh Band 324 

CHAPTER VI. 

Towns AND Village.s 335 

Alexandria, First Town 335 

Alfords 355 

Algiers City 358 

Arcadia 355 

Augusta 356 

Arthur 356 

Bank 348 

Business Men 339 

Commissioners, Report of. 335 

Cholera ~ 340 

First Sale of Lots 336 

Fires 346 



CONTENTS. 



▼ii 



PAGB. 

First Flat-boat 354 

Hosmer 354 

Highbanks 355 

Incidents 353 

Liquor, Rate of Prices 338 

Lodge, L O. O. F 353 

Manufacturing Enterprises. 338 

Merchants, First 338 

Otwell 356 

Officers Chosen 345 

Press, The 349 

Pikeville, Location 353 

Present Industry 351 

Pleasantville 355 

Petersburg, History of. .". 335 

Surveyed, When 336 

Secret Societies 346 

Stendal 352 

Town Council Proceedings 348 

Union 353 

Winslow, Location of. 354 

CHAPTER VII. 

Educational History 357 

Alumni, High School 365 

Blythe-Wood Academy 367 

Early Schools, Primitive Character 359 

First Schoolhouses 358 

Free Schools Provided For 361 

First Teachers 363 

Ho^s, Going to School 860 

Incidents and Anecdotes 357 

Jefferson, Schools of 362 

Lockhart Schools 358 

Logan, Number Pupils 362 

List of School Books 361 

Madison Schools 362 

Monroe Schools 364 



PAGK. 

Petersburg Schools _ 367 

Schools in Clav 362 

Schools, The First 357 

Shooting Deer 360 

Teachers and Their Peculiarities 364 

Washington, School of 365 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Religious History 369 

Baptists, General 375 

Bethlehem Congregation 371 

Cumberland Presbyterian Church 370 

Camp Meetings 369 

First Ministers 369 

Flat Creek Church 376 

Lutheran Church 379 

Missionary Baptists 379 

Mount Pleasant Class 374 

Methodist Church 372 

Patoka Association 378 

Pleasant Ridge Church 377 

Presbyterian Church 380. 

Regular Baptists _ 376 

South Fork Church 377 

Sabbath Schools 373 

United Brethren 374 

White River Church 378 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Clay 464 

Jeflferson J54 

Lockhart 431 

Logan ,.. 461 

Madison 439 

Marion 449 

Monroe 468 

Patoka 413 

Washington 384 



PART III.— HISTORT OF OFBOIS COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

Geology 469 

Coal Mines 474 

Drainage 469 

Fossils , 471 

Glass Sand 473 

Local Details 472 

Paleozoic Geology 470 

Recent Geology .". 469 

Rock Houses 471 

Sandstone and Limestone 474 

Section of Paint Mine 473 

Section of the County 470 

CHAPTER II. 
SeIJ^LEMENT OF THE COUNTY 475 

Boone Township 476 

Block-houses 477 

Coon Skins 482 

Entries of Land 481 

Gtovernment Survey 476 

Harbison Township 481 

Intoxicated Indians 482 

Incident of Gen. Harrison- 478 

JaU at Portersville, The 479 

Killing of an Indian, The 482 

Land Entries 476 

"Mud-hole Trace" 475 

Madison Township 479 

Pugilistic Propensities 481 

Purchasers of Land 480 

Slavery in Indiana 481 

Squatters 475 

Settlers, The First 475 

Tousaint Dubois 478 



CHAPTER III. 

Organization op the County 483 

Auditors of State 502 

Attorney-Generals 505 

Alterations in Boundary 484 

Act of Formation 483 

Associate Judges 496 

Auditors 496 

Agricultural Society •.... 498 

County before Creation, The 483 

Commissioners' Districts 487 

County BuUdings 490 

Clerks 495 

Coroners 496 

Division into Townships 487 

Donations of Land, etc 489 

Election Returns 499 

Governors of Indiana Territory 501 

Governors of the State 501 

Judges of the Supreme Court 505 

Location of the County Seat 488 

Later Public Buildings 491 

Lieutenant-Governors 602 

New Townships 491 

Origin of the Name Dubois 484 

Portersville 488 

Proceedings of the Board 489 

Poor Farm, The 490 

Probate Judges 496 

Recorders 495 

Representatives 4W 

Railroads 497 

Representatives in Congress #506 

Surveyors 495 

Sheriffs 49ff 

Senators 497 



Till 



CONTENtS. 



PAGE. 

Secretaries of State 502 

Treasurers 495 

Territorial Delegates 506 

Treasurers of State 505 

United States Senators 506 

CHAPTER IV. 

History of the Bench and Bar 509 

Attorneys, The Early 510 

Ad Quod Damnum 511 

Court, The First 509 

Common Pleas Court 516 

Destruction of the Records 512 

Innovations on Old Forms 513 

Judges, The First 510 

Later Attorneys 519 

Murder Trial, the First 517 

Murder Trial, The Second 517 

New Constitution, The 513 

Officers, The First Court 509 

Prominent Practitioners 511 

Professional Character of Attorneys 514 

Probate Court 515 

Records, Perpetuation of 512 

Sundry Crimes 518 

CHAPTER V. 

Military History 520 

Additional Volunteers 535 

Bounty 537 

Civil War, Beginning of 523 

Conscripts of 1864 536 

Departure of Companies 528 

Doctrine of Secession 524 

Draft of 1862, The 533 

Mexican Campaign, The 523 

Number of Men Furnished 532 

Other War Meetings 527 

Public Sentiment 525 

Roster of Mexican Soldiers 523 

Relief for Soldiers' Families 530 

Recruiting 531 

Rejoicing over Victories 534 

Rebel Raids 534 

Surrender of Fort Sumter 525 

Training Days 520 

Twentv-Seventh Regiment 529 

Volunteers, The First 526 

Veterans, The 536 

Volunteers for the War 528 

War Meetings 526 

CHAPTER VI. 

Towns and Villages 538 

Bank, Dubois County 546 

Board, Members of 550 



PAOS. 

Birdseye 561 

Bretzville 563 

Donated, By Whom 538 

Early Settlers Disappointed 554 

Families, The Earliest 541 

Ferdinand 55S 

Hook and Ladder Co. First 644 

Huntingburgh 546 

Holland 556 

HiJlham 564 

Haysville 564 

Ireland 559 

Industries 552 

Incorporated, When 549 

Jasper, The Town of. 538 

Merchants 541 

Newspapers 545 

Portersville 565 

Postoffice Established 555 

Physicians, Early 548 

Schnellville 563 

Shively Post No. 68 550 

Settlers, First 556 

Various Industries 555 

CHAPTER VII. 

Education 566 

Bonds, Sale of 571 

Catholic Schools 571 

Conflict of Method 573 

First Teachers 570 

New School I lOuse in Jasper 572 

Public Schools 567 

Pioneer Schools 569 

Revenue, Other Sources of 568 

Schools, Early 566 

Section 16 set Apart 567 

Surplus Revenue 568 

Table Showing Number of Houses, 
Teachers, etc 571 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Churches 574 

Benedictine Sisters, The 582 

Catholic Churches 579 

Catholic Congregation at St. Anthony... 584 

Convent 582 

Congregation at Ferdinand 581 

Congregation at Henryville 584 

Congregation at Celestine 583 

Cumberland Presbyterians 577 

Denominations, First 574 

Early Fathers Enumerated 580 

Early Preachers 578 

Methodist Church 577 

Presbytery for Indiana 577 

Rode the Circuit 574 



BIOeRAPHICALi SKETCHES. 



Bainbridge 585 

Boone 700 

Cass 687 

Columbia 765 

Ferdinand 670 

Hall 757 



Harbison 655 

Jackson 771 

JeflTerson 716 

Madison 735 

Marion 749 

Patoka ~. 618 



PORTRAI TS. 



Brittain, W. C 593-594 

Beckmann, J. H 683-684 

Bretz, W. H 557-558 

Catholic Church 575-576 

Court House 485-4H6 

Fisher, Morman 521-522 

Fleming, A. T 701-702 



Haskins, N 665-666 

McMahan, W. R 611-612 

Rothert, Herman 539-540 

Schuhmacher.Isidcr 503-504 

Williams, G.P 629-630 

Wilson, N. H. 647-648 



I 



HISTORY OF INDIANA; 



FORMEK OCCUPANTS. 



PEEHI8T0EI0 RACES. 

Scientists have ascribed to the Mound Builders varied origins 
"and though their divergence of opinion may for a time seem incom- 
patible with a thorough investigation of the i subject, and tend to 
a confusion of ideas, no doubt whatever can exist as to the compar> 
ative accuracy of conclusions arrived at by some of them. Lik^ 
the vexed question of the Pillar Towers of Ireland^ it has caused 
much speculation, and elicited the opinions of so many learned 
antiquarians, ethnologists and travelers, that it will not be found 
beyond the range of possibility to make deductions that may 
suffice to solve the problem who were the prehistoric settlers of 
America. To achieve this it will not be necessary to go beyond the 
period over which Scripture history extends, or to indulge in those 
airy flights of imagination so sadly identified with occasional 
writers of even the Christian school, and all the accepted literary 
exponents of modern paganism. 

That this continent is co-existent with the world of the ancients 
cannot be questioned. Every investigation, instituted under the 
auspices of modern civilization, confirms the fact and leaves no 
channel open through which the skeptic can escajfe the thorough 
refutation of his opinions. China, with its numerous living testi- 
monials of antiquity, with its ancient, though limited literature 
and its Babelish superstitions, claims a continuous history from 
ahtediluvian times; but although its continuity may be denied 
with every just reason, there is nothing tb prevent the transmissioa 
of aciiieroglyphic record of its hi8t0]^y prior to 1656 anno mtt/ndi, 
since many traces of its early settlement survived the Deluge, and 
became sacred objecte of the first historical epoch. This very sur- 
vival of a record, such as that of which the Chinese boast, is not 
at variance with the designs of a God who made and ruled the 
universe ; but that an antediluvian people inhabited this coutiBeBt, 



18 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

•will not be claimed; because it is not probable, tliou|^li it may be 
possible, that a settlement in a land which may be considered a 
portion of the. Asiatic continent, was effected by the immediate 
followers of the first progenitors of the human race. Therefore, on 
entering the study of the ancient people who raised these tumu- 
lus monuments over large tracts -of the country, it will be just 
sufficient to wander back to that time when the flood-gates of 
heaven were swung open to hurl destruction on a wicked world ; 
and in doing so the inquiry must be based on legendary, or rather 
upon many circumstantial evidences ; for, so far as written narra- 
tive extends, there is nothing to show that a movement of people 
too far east resulted in a "Western settlement. 

THE FIRST IMMIGRATION. 

The first and most probable sources in which the origin of the 
Builders must be sought, are those countries lying along the east- 
ern coast of Asia, which doubtless at that time stretched far beyond 
its present limits, and presented a continuous shore from Lopatka 
to Point Cambodia, holding a population comparatively civilized, 
and all professing some elementary form of the Boodhism of later 
days. Those peoples, like the Chinese of the present, were bound 
to live at home, and probably observed that law until after the con- 
fusion of languages and the dispersion of the builders of Babel in 
175Y, A. M.; but subsequently, within the following century, the 
old Mongolians, like the new, crossed the great ocean in the very 
paths taken by the present representatives of the race, arrived on 
the same shores, which now extend a very questionable hospitality 
to them, and entered at once upon the colonization of the country 
south and east, while the Caucasian race engaged in a similar move- 
ment of expl(#ation and colonization over what may be justly 
termed the western extension of Asia, and both peoples growing 
stalwart under the change, attained a moral and physical eminence 
to which they never could lay claim under the tropical sun which 
shed its beams upon the cradle of the human race. 

That mysterious people who, like the Brahmins of to-day, wor- 
shiped some transitory deity, and in after years, evidently embraced 
the idealization of Boodhism, as preached in Mongolia early in the 
35th century of the world, together with acquiring the learning of 
the Confucian and Pythagorean schools of the same period, spread 
all over the land, and in their numerous settlements erected these 
raths, or mounds, and sacrificial altars whereon they received their 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 19 

periodical visiting gods, surrendered their bodies to natural absorp- 
tiou or annihilation, and watched lor the return of some transmi- 
grated soul, the while adoring the universe, which with all beings 
they believed would be eternally existent. They possessed religious 
orders corresponding in external show at least with the Essenes or 
Theraputae of the pre-Christian and Christian epochs, and to the 
reformed Theraputas or monks of the present. Every memento 
of their coming and their stay which has descended to us is an evi- 
dence of their civilized condition. The free copper found within 
the tumuli ; the open veins of the Superior and Iron Mountain 
copper-mines, with all the modus operandi of ancient mining, such 
as ladders, levers, chisels, and hammer-heads, discovered by the 
French explorers of the jN'orthwest and the Mississippi, are conclu- 
sive proofs that those prehistoric people were highly civilized, and 
that many flourishing colonies were spread throughout the Missis- 
sippi valley, while yet the mammoth, the mastodon, and a hundred 
other animals, now only known by their gigantic fossil remains, 
guarded the eastern shore of the continent as it were against sup- 
posed invasions of the Tower Builders who went west from Babel; 
while yet the beautiful isles of the Antilles formed an integral 
portion of this continent, long years before the European Northman 
dreamed of setting forth to the discovery of Greenland and the 
northern isles, and certainly at a time when all that portion of 
America north of latitude 45* was an ice-incumbered waste. 

Within the last few years great advances have been made toward 
the discovery of antiquities whether pertaining to remains of organic 
or inorganic nature. Together with many email, but telling 
relics of the early inhabitants of the country, the fossils of pre- 
historic animals have been unearthed from end to end of the land, 
and in districts, too, long pronounced by geologists of some repute 
to be without even a vestige of vertebrate fossils. Among the 
collected souvenirs of an age about which so very little is known, 
are twenty-five vertebrae averaging thirteen inches in diameter, , 
and three vertebrae ossified together measure nine cubical feet; a 
thigh-bone five feet long by twenty-eight, by twelve inches in 
diameter, and the shaft fourteen by eight inches thick, the entire 
lot weighing 600 lbs. These fossils are presumed to belong to the 
cretaceous period, when the Dinosaur roamed over the country from 
East to West, desolating the villages of the people. This animal 
is said to have been sixty feet long, and when feeding in cypress 
and palm forests, to extend himself eighty-five feet, so that he may 



20 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

devour the bndding tops of those great trees. Other efforts in this 
direction may lead to great results, and culminate probably in the 
discovery of a tablet engraven by some learned Mound Builder, 
describing in the ancient hieroglyphics of China all these men and 
beasts whose history excites so much speculation. The identity of 
the Mound Builders with the Mongolians might lead us to hope 
for such a consummation; nor is it beyond the range of probability, 
particularly in this practical age, to find the future labors of some 
industrious antiquarian requited by the upheaval of a tablet, written 
in the Tartar characters of 1700 years ago, bearing on a subject 
which can now be treated only on a purely circumstantial basis. 

THE SECOND IMMIGKATION 

may have begun a few centuries prior to the Christian era, and 
unlike the former expedition or expeditions, to have traversed north- 
eastern Asia to its Arctic confines, and then east to the narrow 
channel now known as Behring's Straits, which they crossed, and 
sailing up the -unchanging Yukon, settled under the shadow of 
Mount St. Elias for many years, and pushing South commingled 
with their countrymen, soon acquiring the characteristics of the 
descendants of the first colonists. Chinese chronicles tell of such 
a people, who went North and were never heard of more. Circum- 
stances conspire to render that particular colony the carriers of a 
new religious faith and of an alphabetic system of a representative 
character to the old colonists, and they, doubtless, exercised a most 
beneficial influence- in other respects ; because the influx of immi- 
grants of such culture as were the Chinese, even of that remote 
period, must necessarily bear very favorable results, not only in 
bringing in reports of their travels, but also accounts from the 
fatherland bearing on the latest events. 

With the idea of a second and important exodus there are many 
theorists united, one of whom says: "It is now the generally 
received opinion that the first inhabitants of America passed over 
from Asia through these straits. The number of small islands 
lying between both continents renders this opinion still more 
probable; and it is yet further confirmed by some remarkable traces 
of similarity in the physical conformation of the northern natives 
of both continents. The Esquimaux of North America, the 
Samoieds of Asia, and the Laplanders of Europe, are supposed to 
be of the same family; and this supposition is strengthened by the 
affinity which exists in their languages. The researches of Hum- 



niSrOIiY OK INDIANA. 21 

b(»l'.U have traced the Mc xicrais to the vicinity of Bchring^s Straits; 
wlienee it Is conjectured t!iat they, as wcii as the Poruvians and 
other tribes, came origiiially from Asia, and were the Iliongnoos, 
wlio are, in the Chinese annale, said to liave emigrated under Puno, 
and to have been lost in the I'Torth of Siberia." 

Si nee this tlieory is accepted by most antiquaries, there is every 
reason to believe that from the discovery of what may be called an 
overland route to what was then considered an eastern extension of 
that country which is now known as the " Celestial Empire," many 
caravans of emigrants passed to their new homes in the land of 
illimitable possibilities until the way became a well-marked trail 
over which the Asiatic might travel forward, and having once 
entered the Elysian fields never entertained an idea of returning. 
Thus from generation to generation the tide of immigration poured 
in until the slopes of the Pacific and the banks of the great inland 
rivers became hives of busy industry. Magnificent cities and 
monuments were raised at the bidding of the tribal leaders and 
populous settlements centered with happy villages sprung up 
everywhere in manifestation of the power and wealth and knowl- 
edge of the people. The colonizing Caucasian of the historic 
period walked over this great country on the very ruins of a civil- 
ization which a thousand years before eclipsed all that of which he 
could boast. He walked through the wilderness of the "West over 
buried treasure:^ hidden under the accumulated growth of nature, 
nor rested until he saw, with great surprise, the remains of ancient 
pyramids and temples and cities, larger and evidently more beauti- 
ful than ancient Egypt could bring forth after its long years of 
uninterrupted history. The pyramids resemble those of Egypt in 
exterior form, and in some instances are of larger dimensions. The 
pyramid of Cholula is square, having each side of its base 1,335 
feet in length, and its height about 172 feet. Another pyramid? 
situated in the north of Vera Cruz, is formed of large blocks 
of highly-polished porphyry, and bears upon its front hiero- 
glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture. Each side of its 
square base is 82 feet in length, and a flight of 57 steps conducts to 
its summit, which is 65 feet in height. The ruins of Palenque are 
said to extend 20 miles along the ridge of a mountain, and the 
remains of an Aztec city, near the banks of the river Gila, are 
spread over more than a square league. Their literature consisted 
of hieroglyphics; but their arithmetical knowledge did not extend 
farther than their calculations by the aid of grains of corn. Yet, 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



notwithstanding all their varied accomplishments, and they were 
evidently many, their notions of religious duty led to a most demo- 
niac zeal at once barbarously savage and ferociously cruel. Each 
visiting, god instead of bringing new life to the people, brought 
death to thousands; and their grotesque idols, exposed to drown 
the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought wretchedness rather 
than spiritual happiness, until, as some learned and humane Monte- 
zumian said, the people never approached these idols without fear, 
and this fear was the great animating principle, the great religious 
motive power which sustained the terrible religion. Their altars 
were sprinkled with blood drawn from their own bodies in large 
quantities, and on them thousands of human victims were sacri- 
ficed in honor of the detnons whom they worshiped. The head 
and heart of every captive taken in war were offered up as a bloody 
sacrifice to the god of battles, while the victorious legions feasted 
on the remaining portions of the dead bodies. It has been ascer- 
tained that during the ceremonies attendant on the consecration of 
two of their temples, the number of prisoners offered up in sacri- 
fice was 12,210; while their own legions contributed voluntary 
victims to the terrible belief in large numbers. Nor did this 
horrible custom cease immediately after 1521, when Cortez entered 
the imperial city of the Montezumas; for, on being driven from 
it, all his troops who fell into the hands of the native soldiers were 
subjected to the most terrible and prolonged suffering that could be 
experienced in this world, and when about to yield up that spirit 
which is indestructible, were offered in sacrifice, their hearts and 
heads consecrated, and the victors allowed to feast on the yet warm 
flesh. 

A reference is made here to the period when the Montezumas 
ruled over Mexico, simply to gain a better idea of the hideous 
idolatry which took the place of the old Boodhism of the Mound 
Builders, and doubtless helped in a great measure to give victory 
to the new comers, even as the tenets of Mahoraetanism urged the 
ignorant followers of the prophet to the conquest of great nations. 
It was not the faith of the people who built the mounds and the 
pyramids and the temples, and who, 200 years before the Christian 
era, built the great wall of jealous China. No: rather was it that 
terrible faith born of the Tartar victory, which carried the great 
defenses of China at the point of the javelin and hatchet, who 
afterward marched to the very walls of Rome, under Alaric, and 



niSTORY OF INDIANA. ZJ 

spread over the islands of Polynesia to the Pacific slopes of South 
America. 

THE TARTAKS 

came there, and, like the pure Mongols of Mexico and the Missis- 
sippi valley, rose to a state of civilization bordering on that attained 
by them. Here for centuries the sons of the fierce Tartar race con- 
tinued to dwell in comparative peace until the all-ruling ambition 
of empire took in the whole country from the Pacific to the Atlan- 
tic, and peopled the vast territory watered by the Amazon with a 
race that was destined to conquer all the peoples of the Orient, 
and only to fall before the march of the arch-civilizing Caucasian. 
In course of time those fierce Tartars pushed their settlements 
northward, and ultimately entered the territories of the Mound 
Builders, putting to death all who fell within their reach, and 
causing the survivors of the death-dealing invasion to seek a refuge 
from the hordes of this semi-barbarous people in the wilds and fast- 
nesses of the North and Northwest. The beautiful country of the 
Mound Builders was now in the hands of savage invaders, the quiet, 
industrious people who raised the temples and pyramids were gone; 
and the wealth of intelligence and industry, accumulating forages, 
passed into the possession of a rapacious horde, who could admire 
it only so far as it offered objects for plunder. Even in this the 
invaders were satisfied, and then having arrived at the height of 
their ambition, rested on their swords and entered upon the luxury 
and ease in the enjoyment of which they were found when the van- 
guard of European civilization appeared upon the scene. Mean- 
time the southern countries which those adventurers abandoned 
after having completed their conquests in the North, were soon 
peopled by hundreds of people, always moving from island to 
island and ultimately halting amid the ruins of villages deserted 
by those who, as legends tell, had passed eastward but never returned; 
and it would scarcely be a matter fur ;^':r prise if those emigrants 
were found to be the progenitors of that race found by the Spaniards 
in 1532, and identical with the Araucaniaus, Quenches and Huil- 
tiches of to-day, 

RELICS OF THE MOUND BUILDERS. 

One of the most brilliant and impartial historians of the Republic 
stated that the valley of the Mississippi contained no monuments. 
So far as the word is entertained now, he was literally correct, but 



24: mSToKY OK IM'IANA. 

in some liasty eifort neglected to qualify his sentence by a refer- 
ence to the numerous relics of antiquity to be found throughout 
its length and breadth, and so exposed his chapters to criticism. 
The valley of the Father of Waters, and indeed the country from 
the trap rocks of the Great Lakes southeast to the Gjalf and south- 
west to Mexico, abound in tell-tale monuments of a race of people 
much farther advanced in civilization than the Montezumas of the 
sixteenth century. The remains of walls and fortifications found 
in Kentucky and Indiana, the earthworks of Vincennes and 
throughout the valley of the Wabash, the mounds scattered over 
Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and those found in Illi- 
nois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, are all evidences of the univer- 
•ality of the Chinese Mongols and of their advance toward a com- 
parative knowledge of man and cosmology. At the mouth of 
Tourteen-Mile creek, in Clark county, Indiana, there stands one of 
tl-" old monuments known as the "Stone Fort." It is an 
unmistakable heirloom of a great and ancient people, and must 
have formed one of their most important posts. The State Geolo- 
gist's report, filed among the records of the State and furnished 
by Frof. Cox, says: "At the mouth of Fourteen-Mile creek, and 
about three miles from Charleston, the county-seat of Clark county, 
there is one of the most remarkable stone fortifications which has 
ever come under my notice. Accompanied by my assistant, Mr. 
Borden, and a number of citizens of Charleston, I visited the ' Stone 
Fort' for the purpose of making an examination of it. The locality 
selected for this fort presents many natural advantages for making 
it impregnable to the opposing forces of prehistoric times. It 
occupies the point of an elevated narrow ridge which faces the 
Ohio river on the east and is bordered by Fourteen-Mile creek on 
the west side. This creek empties into the Ohio a short distance 
below the fort. The top of the ridge is pear-shaped, with the 
part answering to the neck at the north end. This part is not 
over twenty feet wide, and is protected by precipitous natural walls 
of stone. It is 280 feet above the level of the Ohio river, and the 
slope is very gradual to the south. At the upper field it is 240 feet 
high and one hundred steps wide. At the lower timber it is 120 
feet high. The bottom land at the foot of the south end is sixty 
feet above the river. Along the greater part of the Ohio river 
front there is an abrupt escarpment rock, entirely too steep to be 
scaled, and a similar natural barrier exists along a portion of the 
northwest side of the ridge, facing the creek. This natural wall 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 27 

is joined to the neck of an artificial wall, made bj piling up, mason 
fashion but without mortar, loose stone, which had evidently been 
pried up from the carboniferous layers of rock. This made wall, at 
this point, is about 150 feet long. It is built along the slope of the 
hill and had an elevation of about 75 feet above its base, the upper 
ten feet being vertical. The inside of the wall is protected by a 
ditch. The remainder of the hill is protected by an artificial stone 
wall, bnilt in the same manner, but not more than ten feet high. 
The elevation of the side wall above the creek bottom is 80 feet. 
Within the artificial walls is a string of mounds which rise to the 
height of the wall, and are protected from the washing of the hill- 
sides by a ditch 20 feet wide and four feet deep. The position of 
the artificial walls, natural clifis of bedded stone, as well as that of 
the ditch and mounds, are well illustrated. The top of the enclosed 
ridge embraces ten or twelve acres, and there are as many as five 
mounds that can be recognized on the flat surface, while no doubt 
many others existed which have been obliterated by time, and 
though the agency of man in his eflTorts to cultivate a portion of 
the ground, A trench was cut into one of these mounds in search 
of relics. A few fragments of charcoal and decomposed bones, and 
a large irregular, diamond-shaped boulder, with a small circular 
indentation near the middle of the upper part, that was worn quite 
smooth by the use to which it had been put, and the small pieces 
of fossil coral, comprised all the articles of note which were revealed 
by the excavation. The earth of which the mound is made resem- 
bles that seen on the hillside, and was probably in most part taken 
from the ditch. The margin next to the ditch was protected by 
slabs of stone set on edge, and leaning at an angle corresponding to 
the slo pe of the mound. This stone shield was two and one-half 
feet wide and one foot high. At intervals along the great ditch 
there are channels formed between the mounds that probably served 
to carry oflP the surplus water through openings in the outer wall. 
On the top of the enclosed ridge, and near its narrowest part, there 
is one mound much larger than any of the others, and so situated 
as to command an extensive view up and down the Ohio river, as well 
as afibrding an unobstructed view east and west. This is designated 
as ' Look-out Mound.' There is near it a slight break in the cliff 
of rock, which furnished a narrow passage way to the Ohio river. 
Though the locality afforded many natural advantages for a fort or 
stronghold, one is compelled to admit that much skill was displayed 
and labor expended in making its defense as perfect as possible at 



L's n.\s;".ii:v ui" i.ni'J.vn'a. 

a!': ]iointP. Sto;ie nxes, postlcs, arrow-aeads, j;poar-]>oiiit?, toluins, 
oliarni.; an<l tiint ilakca huvo btuni found in grt-'ut ainuidaiice in 
plowing the lj.!id at the foM of the ohl fort." 

From the '* Stoue Fort '' tlie Professor turns his stcj^s to Posey 
couriiy, at a (x-idt on the AVahash. ten nules aL'Ovo the mouth, 
called ''l)(>iic l/aiih," on account of the numl.ter of hnuj-ai bones 
continually u allied out from the river l)ank. " It is,'"' he states 
" situated in a bend on the left bank of the river; and the ground 
is about ten feet above higli-water mark, being the only land along 
this portion of the river that is not submerged in seasons of high 
water. The bank slopes gradually back from the river to a slough. 
This slough MOW seldom contains water, but no doubt at one time 
it was an arm of the Wabash river, which flowed around the Bone 
Bank and afforded protection to the island home of the Mound 
Builders. The Wabash has been changing its bed for many years, 
leaving a broad extent of newly made land on the right shore, and 
gradually making inroads on the left shore by cutting away the 
Bone Bank. The stages of growth of land on the right bank of the 
river are well defined by the Cottonwood trees, which increase in size 
as you go back from the river. Unless there is a change in the cur- 
rent of the river, all trace of the Bone Bank will be obliterated. 
Already within the memory of the white inhabitants, the bank lias 
been removed to the width of several hundred yards. As the bank 
is cut by the current of the river it loses its support, and when the 
water sinks it tumbles over, carrying with it the bones of the 
Mound Builders and the cherished articles buried with them. No 
locality in the country furnishes a greater number and variety of 
relics than this. It has proved especially rich in pottery of 
quaint design and skillful workmanship. I have a number of jugs 
and pots and a cup found at the Bone Bank. This kind of work 
has been very abundant, and is still found in such quantities that 
we are led to conclude that its manufacture formed a leading indus- 
try of the inhabitants of the Bone Bank. It is not in Europe 
alone that we find a well-founded claim of high antiquity for the 
art of making hard and durable stone by a mixture of clay, lime, 
sand and stone; for I am convinced that this art was possessed by 
a race of people who inhabited this continent at a period so remote 
that neither tradition nor history can furnish any account of them. 
They belonged to the Neolithic, or polished-stone, age. They lived 
in towns and built mounds for sepulture and worship and pro- 
tected their homes by surrounding them with walls of earth and 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



29 



stone. In some of these mounds specimens of various kinds of 
pottery, in a perfect state of preservation, have from time to time 
been found, and fragments are so common that every student of 
archaeology can have a bountiful supply. Some of these fragments 
indicate vessels of very great size. At the Saline springs of Gal- 
latin I picked up fragments that indicated, by their curvature, ves- 
sels five to six feet in diameter, and it is probable they are frag- 
ments of artificial stone pans used to hold brine that was manufac- 
tured into salt by solar evaporation. 

" Now, all the pottery belonging to the Mound Builders' age, 
which I have seen, is composed of alluvial clay and sand, or a mix- 
ture of the former with pulverized fresh-water shells. A paste 
made of such a mixture possesses, in high degree, the properties of 
hydraulic Puzzuoland and Portland cement, so that vessels formed 
of it hardened without being burned, as is customary with modern 
pottery." 

The Professor deals very aptly with this industry of the aborig- 
ines, and concludes a very able disquisition on the Bone Bank in 
its relation to the prehistoric builders. 




HIEROGLYPHICS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 

The great circular redoubt or earth-work found two miles west ot 
the village of New Washington, and the " Stone Fort," on a ridge 
one mile west of the village of Deputy, ofier a subject for the anti- 
quarian as deeply interesting as any of the monuments of a 
decayed empire so far discovered. 



30 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

From end to end of Indiana there are to be found many other rel- 
ics of the obscure past. Some of them have been unearthed and now 
appear among the collected antiquities at Indianapolis. The highly 
finished sandstone pipe, the copper ax, stone axes, flint arrow-heads 
and magnetic plummets found a few years ago beneath the soil of 
Cut-Off Island near New Harmony, together with the pipes of rare 
workmanship and undoubted age, unearthed near Covington, all 
live as it were in testimony of their owner's and maker's excel- 
lence, and hold a share in the evidence of the partial annihilation 
of a race, with the complete disruption of its manners, customs 
and industries; and it is possible that when numbers of these relics 
are placed together, a key to the phonetic or rather hieroglyphic 
system of that remote period might be evolved. 

It may be asked what these hieroglyphical characters really are. 
Well, they are varied in form, so much so that the pipes found in 
the mounds of Indians, each bearing a distinct representation of 
some animal, may be taken for one species, used to represent the 
abstract ideas of the Mound Builders. The second form consists 
of pure hieroglyphics or phonetic characters, in which the sound is 
represented instead of the object; and the third, or painted form of 
the first, conveys to the mind that which is desired to be repre- 
sented. This form exists among the Cree Indians of the far North- 
west, at present. They, when departing from their permanent vil- 
lages for the distant hunting grounds, paint on the barked trees ia 
the neighborhood the figure of a snake or eagle, or perhaps huskey 
dog; and this animal is supposed to guard the position until the 
warrior's return, or welcome any friendly tribes that may arrive 
there in the interim. In the case of the Mound Builders, it is un- 
likely that this latter extreme was resorted to, for the simple reason 
that the relics of their occupation are too high in the ways of art to 
tolerate such a barbarous science of language; but the sculptured 
pipes and javelins and spear-heads of the Mound Builders may be 
taken as a collection of graven images, each conveying a set of 
ideas easily understood, and perhaps sometimes or more generally 
used to designate the vocation, name or character of the owner. 
That the builders possessed an alphabet of a phonetic form, and 
purely hieroglyphic, can scarcely be questioned; but until one or 
more of the unearthed tablets, which bore all or even a portion of 
such characters, are raised from their centuried graves, the mystery 
which surrounds this people must remain, while we must dwell in 
a world of mere speculation. 



HISTOEY OF INDIANA. ^1 

Vigo, Jasper, Sullivan, Switzerland and Ohio counties can boast 
of a most liberal endowment in this relation; and when in other 
days the people will direct a minute inquiry, and penetrate to the 
very heart of the thousand cones which are scattered throughout 
the land, they may possibly extract the blood in the shape of metal- 
lic and porcelain works, with hieroglyphic tablets, while leaviqg 
the form of heart and body complete to entertain and delight in- 
born generations, who in their time will wonder much when they 
learn that an American people, living toward the close of the 59^1; 
century, could possibly indulge in such an anachronism afi is ia^ 
plied in the term "Kew World." 

THE INDIANS. 

The origin of the Red Men, or American Indians, is a sabjeot 
which interests as well as instructs. It is a favorite with the eth- 
nologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary reader. 
A review of two works lately published on the origin of the Indiana 
treats the matter in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says: 

" Recently a German writer has put forward one theory on the 
subject, and an English writer has put forward another and directly 
opposite theory. The difiference of opinion concerning our aborig- 
inals among authors who have made a profound study of races is at 
once curious and interesting. Blumenbach treats them in hi»^ 
classifications as a distinct variety of the human family; but,inthl» 
threefold division of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among the MeUr ' 

folidae. Other writers on race regard them as a branch of theOT^t 
longolian family, which at a distant period found its way irom 
Asia to thia continent, and remained here for centuries separate 
from the rest of mankind, passing, meanwhile, through divers 
phases of barbarism and civilization. Morton, our eminent eth- 
nologist, and his followers, Nott and Gliddon, claim for our native 
Red men an origin as distinct as ihe flora and fauna of this conti- 
nent. Frichard, whose views are apt to differ from Morton's, finds 
reason to believe, on comparing the American tribes together^ that 
they must have formed a separate department of nations from the 
earliest period of the world. The era of their existence as a distinct 
and insulated people must probably be dated back to the time 
which separated into nations the inhabitants of the Old "World, and 

fave to each its individuality and primitive language. Dr. Robert 
Irown, the latest authority, attributes, in his " Races of Mankind,'* 
an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals. He says that the Western In- 
dians not only personally resemble their nearest neighbors — the 
Northeastern Asiatics — but they resemble them in language and; 
traditions. The Esquimaux on the American and the Tchuktchis 
on the Asiatic side understand one another perfectly. Modern an- 



32 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

thropologists, indeed, are disposed to think that Japan, the Kuriles, 
and neighboring regions, may be regarded as the original home of 
the greater part of the native American race. It is also admitted 
by them that between the tribes scattered from the Arctic sea to 
Cape Horn there is more uniformity of physical features than i8 
seen in any other quarter of the globe. The weight of evidence 
and authority is altogether in favor of the opinion that our so- 
called Indians are a branch of the Mongolian family, and all addi- 
tional researches strengthen the opinion. The tribes of both North 
and South America are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in all 
likelihood, had their origin in Asia, though they have been altered 
and modified by thousands of years of total separation from the 
parent stock." 

The conclusions arrived at by the reviewer at that time, though 
safe, are too general to lead the reader to form any definite idea on. 
the subject. No doubt whatever can exist, when the American In- 
dian is regarded as of an Asiatic origin ; but there is nothing in the 
works or even in the review, to which these works were subjected, 
which might account for the vast difference in manner and form 
between the Ked Man, as he is now known, or even as he appeared 
to Columbus and his successors in the field of discovery, and the 
comparatively civilized inhabitants of Mexico, as seen in 1621 by 
Cortez, and of Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532. The fact is 
that the pure bred Indian of the present is descended directly 
from the earliest inhabitants, or in other words froin the survivors 
of that people who, on being driven from their fair possessions, re- 
tired to the wilderness in sorrow and reared up their children under 
the saddening influences of their unquenchable griefs, bequeathing 
them only the habits of the wild, cloud-roofed home of their de- 
clining years, a sullen silence, and a rude moral code. In after 
years these wild sons of the forest and prairie grew in numbers and 
in strength. Some legend told them of their present sufferings, of 
the station which their fathers once had known, and of the riotous 
race which now reveled in wealth which should be theirs. The 
fierce passions of the savage were aroused, and uniting their scat- 
tered bands marched in silence upon the villages of the Tartars, 
driving them onward to the capital of their Incas, and consigning 
their homes to the flames. Once in view of the great city, the 
hurrying bands halted in surprise; but Tartar cunning took in the 
situation and offered pledges of amity, which were sacredly ob- 
served. Henceforth Mexico was open to the Indians, bearing pre- 
cisely the same relation to them that the Hudson's Bay Company's 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 33 

villages do to the Northwestern Indians of the present ; obtaining 
all, and bestowing very little. The subjection of the Mongolian 
race represented in North America by that branch of it to which 
the Tartars belonged, represented in the Southern portion of the con- 
tinent, seems to have taken place some five centuries before the 
advent of the European, while it may be concluded that the war of 
the races which resulted in reducing the villages erected by the 
Tartar hordes to ruin took place between one and two hundred 
^ears later. These statements, though actually referring to events 
which in point of time are comparatively modern, can only be sub- 
stantiated by the facte that, about the periods mentioned the dead 
bodies of an unknown race of men were washed ashore on the Eu- 
ropean coasts, while previous to that time there is no account 
whatever in European annals of even a vestige of trans- Allan tic hu- 
manity being transferred by ocean currents to the gaze of a won- 
dering people. Towards the latter half ot the 15th century two 
dead bodies entirely free from decomposition, and corresponding 
with the Red Men as they afterward appeared to Columbus, were 
cast on the shores of the Azores, and confirmed Columbus in his be- 
lief in the existence of a western world and western people. 

Storm and flood and disease have created sad havoc in the ranks 
of the Indian since the occupatiun of the country by the white man. 
These natural causes have conspired to decimate the race even more 
than the advance of civilization, which seems not to aflPect it to any 
material extent. In its maintenance of the same number of rep- 
resentatives during three centuries, and its existence in the very 
face of a most unceremonious, and, whenever necessary, cruel con- 
quest, the grand dispensations of the unseen Ruler of the universe 
is demonstrated; for, without the aborigines, savage and treach- 
erous as they were, it is possible that the explorers of former times 
would have so many natural difficulties to contend with, that their 
work would be surrendered in despair, and the most fertile regions 
of the continent saved for the plowshares of generations yet un- 
born. It is questionable whether we owe the discovery of this con- 
tinent to the unaided scientific knowledge of Columbus, or to the 
dead bodies of the two Indians referred to above; nor can their ser- 
vices to the explorers of ancient and modern times be over-esti- 
mated. Their existence is embraced in the plan of the Divinity 
for the government of the world, and it will not form subject for 
surprise to learn that the same intelligence which sent a thrill of 
liberty into every corner of the republic, will, in the near future, 



34: IIISTOKr OF INDIANA. 

devise some method under which the remnant of a great and an- 
cient race may taste the sweets of public kindness, and feel that, 
after centuries of turmoil and tyranny, they liave at last found a 
shelter vraid a sympathizing people. Many have looked at the In- 
dian as the pessimist do^^s at all things; they say that he was never 
formidable until the white inan supplied him with the weapons of 
modern warfare; but tl.er.'. i no mention made of his eviction from 
his rehired home, and the little plot of cultivated garden which 
formed the nucleus of a village that, if fostered instead of being 
destroyed; in-"ght possibiy hold an Indian population of some im- 
portance in the econora -' of the nation. There is no intention what- 
ever to maintain that the occupation of this country by the favored 
races is wroi«g ev«n in prfreiple; for where any obstacle to advanc- 
ing eixilizafcion exists, it has to fall to the ground; bat it may be 
3aid, Tzitli acme truth, that the white man, instead of a policy of 
condiiation rc-rmed upon the power of kindness, indulged in bel- 
ligerency ^ .5 impolitic, ae it wa^ unjust. A modern writer says, 
when speaking of the indi;;'ii'''a characiar: "He did not exhibit that 
steady vaJo? and efEcient 't^scipline of the American soldier; and 
to-day on the plains Bberidaa'e troopers would not hesitate to 
attack the bravest band, « liough outnumbered three to one." This 
piece of information applies to ta-v* European and African, f.s well 
as to the Indian, Th-^ American soldier, and particularly the 
troopers referred to, would not fear or ohrink from a very legion of 
demons, even with odds against thera. This mode of warfare seems 
strangely peculiar whea compared with the military systems of 
civilized countries; yet, lince the main obiect of armed men is to 
defend a country or a pfiuciple, and to ucstroy any thing which may 
oppose itself to them, iht mode of warfare pursued bj-^ the savage 
■will be found admirably idapted to their requirements in this con- 
Dectiou, and will doubtiees compare favorably with the systems of 
^^he Afghans and Persians of the presens, and ihe Caucasian people 
<»f the first historic period. 

MANNEES AND CUSTOMS. 

The art of hunting not only supplied the Indian with food, but, 
like that of war, was a means of gratifying his love of distinction. 
The male children, as soon as thev acquired sufficient age and 
strength, were furnished with a bow and arrow and taught to shoot 
birds and other small game. Success in killing a large quadruped 
required years of careful study and practice, and the art was as 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 35 

sedulously inculcated in the minds of the rising generation as are 
the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic in the common 
schools of civilized communities. The mazes of the forest and the 
dense, tall grass of the prairies were the best fields for the exercise 
of the hunter's skill. No feet could be impressed in the yielding 
soil but that the tracks were the objects of the most searching 
scrutiny, and revealed at a glance the animal that made them, the 
direction it was pursuing, and the time that had elapsed since it 
had passed. In a forest country he selected the valleys, because 
they were most frequently the resort of game. The most easily 
taken, perhaps, of all the animals of the chase was the deer. It isi 
endowed with a curiosity which prompts it to stop in its flight and 
look back at the approaching hunter, who always avails himself of 
this opportunity tc let fly the fatal arrow. 

Their general councils were composed of the chiefs and old men. 
When in council, they usually sat in concentric circles around the 
speaker, and each individual, notwithstanding the fiery passions 
that rankled within, preserved an exterior as immovable as if cast 
in bronze. Before commencing business a person appeared with 
the sacred pipe, and another with fire to kindle it. After being 
lighted it was first presented to heaven, secondly to the earth, 
thirdly to the presiding spirit, and lastly the several councilors, 
each of whom took a whifi". These formalities were observed with 
as close exactness as state etiquette in civilized courts. 

The dwellii.'gs of the Indians were of the simplest and rudest 
character. <3n some pleasant spot by the bank of a river, or near 
an ever-running spring, they raised their groups of wigwams, con- 
structed of the bark of trees, and easily taken down and removed 
to another spot. The dwelling-places of the chiefs were sometimes 
more spacious, and constructed with greater care, but of the same 
materials. Skins taken in the chase served them for repose. 
Though principally dependent upon hunting and fishing, the 
uncertain supply from those sources led them to cultivate small 
patches of corn. Every family did everything necessary within 
itself, commerce, or an interchange of articles, being almost unknown 
to them. In cases of dispute and dissension, each Indian relied 
upon himself for retaliation. Blood for blood was the rule, and 
the relatives of the slain man were bound to obtain bloody revenge 
for his death. This principle gave rise, as a matter of course, to 
innumerable and bitter feuds, and wars of extermination where such 
were possible. "War, indeed, rather than peace, was the Indian's 



36 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

glory and delight, — war, not conducted as civilization, but war 
where individual skill, endurance, gallantry and cruelty were prime 
requisites. For such a purpose as revenge the Indian would make 
great sacrifices, and display a patience and perseverance truly heroic; 
but when the excitement was over, he sank back into a listless, un- 
occupied, well-nigh useless savage. During the intervals of his 
more exciting pursuits, the Indian employed his time in decorating 
his person with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the 
manufacture of his arms and of cauoes. These were constructed of 
bark, and so light that they could easily be carried on the shoulder 
from stream to stream. His amusements were the war-dance, ath- 
letic games, the narration of his exploits, and listening to the ora- 
tory of the chiefs ; but during long periods of such existence he 
remained in a state of torpor, gazing listlessly upon the trees of 
the forests and the clouds that sailed above them ; and this vacancy 
imprinted an habitual gravity, and even melancholy, upon his gen- 
eral deportment. 

The mam labor and drudgery of Indian communities fell upon 
the women. The planting, tending and gathering of the crops, 
making mats and baskets, carrying burdens, — in fact, all things of 
the kind were performed by them, thus making their condition but 
little better than that of slaves. Marriage was merely a matter of 
bargain and sale, the husband giving presents to the father of the 
bride. In general they had but few children. They were sub- 
jected to maTiy and severe attacks of sickness, and at times famine 
And pestilence swept away whole tribes. 



EXPLORATIONS BY THE WHITES. 

EARLIEST EXPLORERS. 

The State of Indiana is bounded on the east by the meridian line 
which forms also the western boundary of Ohio, extending due 
north from the mouth of the Great Miami river; on the south by 
the Ohio river from the mouth of the Great Miami to the month 
of the Wabash; on the west hyaline drawn along the middle of 
the Wabash river from its mouth to a point where a due north 
line from the town of Vincennes would last touch the shore of said 
river, and thence directly north to Lake Michigan; and on the north 
by said lake and an east and west line ten miles north of the ex- 
treme south end of the lake, and extending to its intersection with 
the aforesaid meridian, the west boundary of Ohio. These bound- 
aries include an area of 33,809 square miles, lying between 37** 
47' and 41° 50' north latitude, and between 7° 45' and 11° 1' west 
longitude from Washington. 

After the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, more than 
150 years passed away before any portion of the territory now com- 
prised within the above limits was explored by Europeans, Colo- 
nies were established in Florida, Virginia and Nova Scotia bv the 
principal rival governments of Europe, but not until about 1670-'2 
did the first white travelers venture as far into the Northwest ae 
Indiana or Lake Michigan. These explorers were Frenchmen by 
the names of Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, who then visited 
what is now the eastern part of Wisconsin, the northeastern portion 
of Illinois and probably that portion of this State north of the Kan- 
kakee river. In the following year M. Joliet, an agent of the 
French Colonial government, and James Marquette, a good and 
simple-hearted missionary who had his station at Mackinaw, ex- 
plored the country about Green Bay, and along Fox and Wiscon- 
sin rivers as far westward as the Mississippi, the banks of which 
they reached June 17, 1673. They descended this river to about 
33° 40', but returned by way of the Illinois river and the route 
they came in the Lake Region. At a village among the Illinois In- 
dians, Manjuette and his entail band of adventurers were received 



88 HISTOUY OF INDIANA. 

in a friendly manner and treated hospitably. They were made the 
honored guests at a great feast, where hominy, fish, dog meat and 
roast buflfalo meat were spread before them in great abundance. In 
1682 LaSalle explored the West, but it is not known that he entered 
the region now embraced within the State of Indiana. He took 
formal possession, however, of all the Mississippi region in the 
name of the King of France, in whose honor he gave all this Mis- 
sissippi region, including what is now Indiana, the name " Louisi- 
ana." Spain at the same time laid claim to all the region about 
the Gulf of Mexico, and thus these two great nations were brought 
into collision. But the country was actually held and occupied by 
the greaX Miami confederacy of Indians, the Miarais proper (an- 
o'eiiily the Twight wees) being the eastern and most powerful tribe. 
Their territory extended Btrictly from the Scioto river west to the 
Illinois river. Their villages were few and scattering, and their 
occupation was scarcely dense enough to maintain itself against in- 
vasion. Their settlements were occasionally visited by Christian 
missionaries, fur traders and adventurers, but no body of white men 
made any settlement sufficiently permanent for a title to national 
possession. Christian zeal animated France and England in mis- 
sionary enterprise, the former in the interests of Catholicism and 
the latter in the interests of Protestantism. Hence their haste to 
preoccupy the land and proselyte the aborigines. No doubt this 
ugly rivalry was often seen by Indians, and they refused to be 
proselyted to either branch of Christianity. 

The " Five Nations," farther east, comprised the Mohawks, 
Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondaguas and Senecas. In 1677 the number 
of warriors in this confederacy was 2,150. About 1711 the Tusca- 
roras retired from Carolina and joined the Iroquois, or Five Na- 
tions, which, after that event, became known as the " Six Nations." 
In 1689 hostilities broke out between the Five Nations and the 
colonists of Canada, and the almost constant wars in which France 
was engaged until the treaty of Eyswick in 1697 combined to 
check the grasping policy of Louis XIY., and to retard the plant- 
ing of French colonies in the Mississippi valley. Missionary efibrts, 
however, continued with more failure than success, the Jesuits 
allying themselves with the Indians in habits and customs, even 
encouraging inter-marriage between them and their white fol- 
lowers. 



f 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 39 



OUABACHE. 



The Wabash was first named by the French, and spelled by them 
Ouabache. This river was known even before the Ohio, and was 
navigated as the Ouabache all the way to the Mississippi a long time 
before it was discovered that it was a tributary of the Ohio (Belle 
Riviere). In navigating the Mississippi they thought they passed 
the mouth of the Ouabache instead of the Ohio. In traveling from 
the Great Lakes to the soutb, the French always went by the way ofi 
the Ouabache or Illinois. 

VINCBNNES. 

Francois Morgan de Yinsenne served in Canada as early as 1720 
in the regiment of " De Carrignan " of the French service, and 
again on the lakes in the vicinity of Sault Ste. Marie in the same 
service under M. de Vaudriel, in 1725. It is possible that his ad- 
vent to Vincennes may have taken place in 1732; and in proof of 
this the only record is an act of sale under the joint names of him- 
self and Madame Vinsenne, the daughter of M. Philip Longprie, 
and dated Jan. 5, 1735. This document gives his military position 
as commandant of the post of Ouabache in the service of the French 
King. The will of Longprie, dated March 10, same year, bequeaths 
him, among other things, 408 pounds of pork, which he ordered to 
be kept ^fe until Vinsenne, who was then at Ouabache, returned 
to Kaskaskia. 

There are many other documents connected with its early settle- 
ment by Vinsenne, among which is a receipt for the 100 pistoles 
granted him as Kis wife's marriage dowry. In 1736 this officer was 
ordered to Charlevoix by D'Artagette, viceroy of the King at New 
Orleans, and commandant of Illinois. Here M. St. Vinsenne re- 
ceived his mortal wounds. The event is chronicled as follows, in 
the words of D'Artagette: " We have just received very bad news 
from Louisiana, and our war with the Chickasaws. The French 
have been defeated. Among the slain is M. de Vinsenne, who 
ceased not until his last breath to exhort his men to behave worthy 
of their faith and fatherland." 

Thus closed the career of this gallant officer, leaving a name 
which holds as a remembrancer the present beautiful town of Vin- 
cennes, changed from Vinsenne to its present orthography in 1749. 

Post Vincennes was settled as early as 1710 or 1711. In a letter 
from Father Marest to Father Germon, dated at Kaskaskia, Nov. 9, 
1712, occurs this passage: "Zes Francois itoient itabli unfort swr 



40 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

leflewve Ouabache y Us demanderent un missionaire / et le Pere 
Mermet leur fut envoy e. Ce P&re crut devoir travailler a la 
conversion des Mascoutens qui avoient fait un village sur les 
hords dumeme jlev/oe. Cest une nation Indians qui entend la 
la/ngue Tllinoise." Tranfclated: " The French have established a 
fort upon the river "Wabash, and want a missionary; and Father 
Mermet has been sent to them. That Father believes he should 
labor for the conversion of the Mascoutens, who have built a vil- 
lage on the banks of the same river. They are a nation of Indians 
who uncieretand the language of the Illinois." 

Mermet was therefore the first preacher of Christianity in this 
pari of the world, and his mission was to convert the Mascoutens, 
a branch of the Miamis. "The way I took," says he, " was to con- 
found, in the presence of the whole tribe, one of these charlatans 
[medicine men], whose Manitou, or great spirit which he wor- 
shiped, was the buffalo. After leading him on insensibly to the 
avowal that it was not the buffalo that he worshiped, but the Man- 
itou, or spirit, of the buffalo, which was under the earth and ani- 
mated all buffaloes, which heals the sick and has all power, I asked 
him whether other beasts, the bear for instance, and which one of 
Lis nation worshiped, was not equally inhabited by a Manitou, 
which was under the earth. 'Without doubt,' said the grand medi- 
cine man. ' If this is so,' said I, ' men ought to have a Manitou 
who inhabits them.' ' Nothing more certain,' said he. ' Ought 
not that to convince you,' continued I, ' that you are not very 
reasonable? For if man upon the earth is the master of all animals, 
if he kills them, if he eats them, does it not follow that the Mani- 
tou which inhabits him must have a mastery over all other Mani- 
tons? Why then do you not invoke him instead of the Manitou 
of the bear and the buffalo, when you are sick?' This reasoning 
disconcerted the charlatan. But this was all the effect it 
produced." 

The result of convincing these heathen by logic, as is generally 
the case the world over, was only a temporary logical victory, and 
no change whatever was produced in the professions and practices 
of the Indians. 

But the first Christian (Catholic) missionary at this place whose 
name we find recorded in the Church annals, was Meurin, in 1849. 

The church building used by these early missionaries at Yin- 
cennes is thus described by the " oldest inhabitants:" Fronting on 
Water street and running back on Church street, it was a plain 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



41 



building with a rou^h exterior, of upright posts, chinked and 
daubed, with a rough coat of cement on the outside; about 20 feet 
wide and 60 long; one story high, with a small belfry and an equally 
small bell. It was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. This spot is 
now occupied by a splendid cathedral. 

Yincennes has ever been a stronghold of Catholicism. The 
Church there has educated and sent out many clergymen of her 
faith, some of whom have become bishops, or attained other high 
positions in ecclesiastical authority. 

Almost contemporaneous with the progress of the Church at 
Vincennes was a missionary work near the mouth of the Wea river, 
among the OoiatenonB, but the settlemeAt there was broken up in 
early day. 

NATIONAL POLICIES. 

THE GBEAT FRENCH SCHEME. 

Soon after the discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi by La- 
Salle in 1682, the government of France began to encourage the 
policy of establishing a line of trading posts and missionary 
stations extending through the West from Canada to Louisiana, 
and this policy was maintained, with partial success, for about 75 
years. The traders persisted in importing whisky, which cancelled 
nearly every civilizing influence that could be brought to bear upon 
the Indian, and the vast distances between posts prevented that 
strength which can be enjoyed only by close and convenient inter- 
communication. Another characteristic of Indian nature was to 
listen attentively to all the missionary said, pretending to believe 
all he preached, and then offer in turn his theory of the world, of 
religion, etc., and because he was not listened to with the same 
degree of attention and pretense of belief, would go off disgusted. 
This was his idea of the golden rule. 

The river St. Joseph of Lake Michigan was called " the river 
Miamis" in 1679, in which year LaSalle built a small fort on its 
bank, near the lake shore. The principal station of the mission 
for the instruction of the Miami s was established on the borders of 
this river. The first French post within the territory of the 
Miamis was at the mouth of the river Miamis, on an eminence 
naturally fortified on two sides by the river, and on one side by a 



42 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

deep ditch made by a fall of water. It was of triangular form. 
The missionary Hennepin gives a good description of it, as he was 
one of the company who built it, in 1679. Says he: " We fell the 
trees that were on the top of the hill; and having cleared the same 
from bushes for about two musket shot, we began to build a 
redoubt of 80 feet long and 40 feet broad, with great square pieces 
of timber laid one upon another, and prepared a great number of 
fitakes of about 25 feet long to drive into the ground, to make our 
fort more inaccessible on the river side. We employed the whole 
month of November about that work, which was very hard, though 
we had no other food but the bear's flesh our savage killed. These 
beasts are very common in that place because of the great quantity 
of grapes they find there; but their flesh being too fat and luscious, 
our men began to be weary of it and desired leave to go a hunting 
to kill some wild goats. M. LaSalle denied them that liberty, 
which caused some murmurs among them; and it was but unwill- 
ingly that they continued their work. This, together with the 
approach of winter and the apprehension that M. LaSalle had that 
Lis vessel (the Griffin) was lost, made him very melancholy, though 
he concealed it as much as he could. We made a cabin wherein 
we performed divine service every Sunday, and Father Gabriel and 
I, who preached alternately, took care to take such texts as were 
€uitable to our present circumstances and fit to inspire us with 
courage, concord and brotherly love. * * -^^ The fort was at 
last perfected, and called Fort Miamis." 

In the year 1711 the missionary Chardon, who was said to be 
"very zealous and apt in the acquisition of languages, had a station 
on the St. Joseph about 60 miles above the mouth. Charlevoix, 
another distinguished missionary from France, visited a post on 
this river in 1721. In a letter dated at the place, Aug. 16, he says: 
"" There is a commandant here, with a small garrison. His house, 
which is but a very sorry one, is called the fort, from its being sur- 
rounded with an indifierent palisado, which is pretty near the case 
in all the rest. We have here two villages of Indians, one of the 
Miamis and the other of the Pottawatomies, both of them mostly 
Christians; but as they have been for a long time without any pas- 
tors, the missionary who has been lately sent to them will have no 
amall difficulty in bringing them back to the exercise of their re^ 
ligion." He speaks also of the main commodity for which the Int 
■dians would part with their goods, namely, spirituous liquors, 
which they drink and keep drunk upon as long as a supply lasted. 




INDIANS ATTACKLNQ FEONTIJEBBMBN. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 45 

More than a century and a half has now passed since Charlevoix 
penned the above, without any change whatever in this trait of In- 
dian character. 

In 1765 the Miami nation, or confederacy, was composed of four 
tribes, whose total number of warriors was estimated at only 1,050 
men. Of these about 250 were Twightwees, or Miamis proper, 
300 Weas, or Ouiatenons , 300 Piankeshawsand 200 Shockeys; and 
at this time the principal villages of the Twightwees were situated 
about the head of the Maumee river at and near the place where 
Fort Wayne now is. The larger Wea villages were near the banks 
of the "Wabash river, in the vicinity of the Post Ouiatenon; and 
the Shockeys and Piankeshaws dwelt on the banks of the Vermil- 
lion and on the borders of the Wabash between Yincennes and 
Ouiatenon. Branches of the Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Delaware and 
Kickapoo tribes were permitted at different times to enter within 
the boundaries of the Miamis and reside for a while. 

The wars in which France and England were engaged, from 1688 
to 1697, retarded the growth of the colonies of those nations in 
North America, and the efforts made by France to connect Canada 
and the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of trading posts and colonies 
naturally excited the jealousy of England and gradually laid the 
foundation for a struggle at arms. After several stations were estab- 
lished elsewhere in the West, trading posts were started at the 
Miami villages, which stood at the head of the Maumee, at the Wea 
villages about Ouiatenon on the Wabash, and at the Piankeshaw vil- 
lages about the present sight of Yincennes. It is probable that before 
the close of the year 1719, temporary trading posts were erected at the 
sites of Fort Wayne, Ouiatenon and Yincennes. These points were 
probably often visited by French fur traders prior to 1700. In the 
meanwhile the English people in this country commenced also to 
establish military posts west of the Alleghanies, and thus matters 
went on until they naturally culminated in a general war, which, 
being waged by the French and Indians combined on one side, was 
called " the French and Indian war." This war was terminated in 
1763 by a treaty at Paris, by which France ceded to Great Britain 
all of North America east of the Mississippi except New Orleans 
and the island on which it is situated; and indeed, France had the 
preceding autumn, by a secret convention, ceded to Spain all the 
country west of that river. 



46 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

PONTIAC'S WAR. 

In 1762, after Canada and its dependencies had been surrendered 
to the Eno-lish, Pontiac and his partisans secretly organized a pow- 
erful confederacy in order to crush at one blow all English power 
in the "West. This great scheme was skillfully projected and cau- 
tiously matured. 

The principal act in the programme was to gain admittance into 
the fort at Detroit, on pretense of a friendly visit, with short- 
ened muskets concealed under their blankets, and on a given signal 
suddenly break forth upon the garrison; but an inadvertent remark 
of au Indian woman led to a discovery of the plot, which was con- 
sequently averted. Pontiac and his warriors afterward made many 
attacks upon the English, some of which were successful, but the 
Indians were finally defeated in the general war. 

BRITISH POLICY. 

In 1765 the total number of French families within the limits of 
the Northwestern tl^^ory did not probably exceed 600. These 
were in settlements about Detroit, along the river Wabash and the 
neighborhood of Fort Chartres on the Mississippi. Of these fami- 
lies, about 80 or 90 resided at Post Vincennes, 14 at Fort Ouiate- 
non, on the Wabash, and nine or ten at the confluence of the St. 
Mary and St. Joseph rivers. 

The colonial policy ofthe British government opposed any meas- 
ures which might strengthen settlements in the interior of this 
country, lest they become self-supporting and independent of the 
mother country; hence the early and rapid settlement of the North- 
western territory was still further retarded by the short-sighted 
selfishness of England. That fatal policy consisted mainly in hold- 
ing the land in the hands of the government and not allowing it to 
be subdivided and sold to settlers. But in spite of all her efibrts 
in this direction, she constantly made just such efforts as provoked 
the American people to rebel, and to rebel successfully, which was 
within 15 years after the perfect close of the French and Indian 
war. 

AMERICAN POLICY. 

Thomas Jefferson, the shrewd statesman and wise Governor of 
Virginia, saw from the first that actual occupation of Western lands 
was the only way to keep them out of the hands of foreigners and 



mSTOUY OF INDIANA. 4. 

Indians. Therefore, directly after tlie conquest of yincennc^ bj. 
Clark, lie enr^aged a scientific corps to proceed under an escort to 
the Mississippi, and ascertain bj celestial observations the point 
on that river intersected by latitude Sfi** 30', the southern limit of 
the State, and to measure its distance to the Oliio. To Gen. Clark 
was entrusted the conduct of the military operations in that quar- 
ter, lie was instructed to select a strong position near that point 
and establish there a fort and garrison ; thence to extend his conquests- 
northward to the lakes, erecting forts at different points, v/hieh 
might serve as monuments of actual possession, besides aflbrding 
protection to that portion of the country. Fort '• Jefferson '' was 
erected and garrisoned on the Mississippi a few miles above the 
southern limit. 

The result of these operations was the addition, to the chartered 
limits of Yirginia, of that immense region known as the " North- 
western Territory."' The simple fact that such and such forts were 
established by the Americans in this vast region convinced the Brit- 
ish Commissioners that we had entitled ourselves to the land. But 
where are those '' monuments " of our power no\i ? 

IJSTDIAN BAVAGERY. 

As a striking example of the inliuman treatment which the early 
Indians were capable of giving white people, -ye quote the follow 
ing blood-curdling story from Mr. Cox' " Recollections of the 
Wabash Yaliey": 

On the 11th of February, 1781, a wagoner named Irvin Hinton 
was sent from the block-house at Louisville, Ky., to Harrodsbnrg 
for a load of provisions for the fort. Two young men, Richard 
Rue and George Ilolman, aged respectively 19 and i6 years, were 
pent as guards to protect the wagoii from the depredations of any 
hostile Indians who might be lurking in the cane-brakes or ravines 
through which they must pass. Soon after their start a severe 
snow-storm set m which lasted until afternoon. Lest the melting 
snow might dampen the ,owder in their rifles, the guards fired 
them off, intending to reload them as soon as the storm ceased. 
Ilinton drove the horses while Rue walked a few rods ahead and 
Holraan about the same distance behind. As they ascended a hill 
about eight miles from Louisville Hinton heard some one sav Wliua 
to the horses. Supposing that something was wrong about the 
wagon, he stopped and asked Holnian why he had called him to 
halt, ilolman said that Lo had not spoken; Rue also denied it, 



48 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

but said that he had heard the voice distinctly. At this time a voice 
cried out, " I will solve the mystery for you; it was Simon Girty that 
cried Whoa, and he meant what he said," — at the same time emerg- 
ing from a sink-liole a few rods from the roadside, followed by 13 
Indians, who immediately surrounded the three Kentuckians and 
demanded them to surrender or die instantly. The little party, 
making a virtue of necessity, surrendered to this renegade white 
man and his Indian allie ;. 

Eeing so near two forts, idrirtj made all possible speed in making 
fast his prisoners, selecting the lines and other parts of the harness, 
he prepared for an immediate flight across the Ohio. The panta- 
loons of the prisoners were cut off about four inches above the 
knees, and thus they started through the deep snow as fast as the 
horses could trot, leaving the wagon, containing a few empty bar- 
rels, standing in the road. They continued their march for sev- 
eral cold days, without fire at night, until they reached Wa-puc-ca- 
nat-ta, where they compelled their prisoners to run the gauntlet as 
they entered the village. Hinton first ran the gauntlet and reached 
the council-house after receivit^' 'several severe blows upon the head 
and shoulders. Eue next ran between the lines, pursued by an 
Indian with an uplifted tomahawk. He far outstripped his pursuer 
and dodged most of the blows aimed at him. Holman complaining 
that it was too severe a test for a worn-out stripling like himself, 
■was allowed to run between two lines of squaws and bojs, and was 
followed by an Indian with a long switch. 

The first council of the Indians did not dispose of these young 
men; they were waiting for the presence of other chiefs and war- 
riors, flinton escaped, but on the afternoon of the second day he 
was re-captured. Now the Indians were glad that they had an 
occasion to indulge in the infernal joy of burning him at once. 
Soon after their supper, which they shared with their victim, they 
drove the stake into the ground, piled up the fagots in a circle 
around it, stripped and blackened the prisoner, tied him to the 
stake, and applied the torch. It was a slow fire. The war-whoop 
then thrilled through the dark siarounding forest like the chorus 
of a band of infernal spirits escaped from pandemonium, and the 
scalp dance was struck up by those demons in human shape, who 
for hours encircled their victim, brandishing their tomahawks and 
war clubs, and venting their execrations upon the helpless sufferer, 
who died about midnight from the effects of the slow heat. As 
aoon as he fell upon the ground, the Indian who first discovered 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 4:9 

him in the woods that evening sprang in, sunk his tomahawk into 
his skull above the ear, and with his knife stripped oflF the scalp, 
which he bore back with him to the town as a trophy, and which 
was tauntingly thrust into the faces of Rue and Holman, with the 
question, " Can you smell the fire on the scalp of your red-headed 
friend? "We cooked him and left him for the wolves to make a 
breakfast upon; that is the way we serve runaway prisoners." 

After a march of three days more, the prisoners. Rue and Hol- 
man, had to run the gauntlets again, and barely got through with 
their lives. It was decided that they should both be burned at the 
stake that night, though this decision was far from being unani- 
mous. The necessary preparations were made, dry sticks and 
brush were gathered and piled around two stakes, the faces 
and hands of the doomed men were blackened in the customary 
manner, and as the evening approached the poor wretches sat look- 
ing upon the setting sun for the last time. An unusual excitement 
was manifest in a number of chiefs who still lingered about the 
council-house. At a pause in the contention, a noble-looking In- 
dian approached the prisoners, and after speaking a few words to 
the guards, took Holman by the hand, lifted him to his feet, cut the 
cords that bound him to his fellow prisoners, removed the black from 
his face and hands, put his hand kindly upon his head and said: " I 
adopt you as my son, to fill the place of the one I have lately buried; 
you are now a kinsman of Logan, the white man's friend, as he has 
been called, but who has lately proven himself to be a terrible 
avenger of the wrongs inflicted upon him by the bloody Cresap and 
his men." With evident reluctance, Girty interpreted this to Hol- 
man, who was thus unexpectedly freed. 

But the preparations for the burning of Rue went on. Holman' 
and Rue embraced each other most afiectionately, with a sorrow too 
deep for description. Rue was then tied to one of the stakes; but 
the general contention among the Indians had not ceased. Just as 
the lighted fagots were about to be applied to the dry brush piled 
around the devoted youth, a tall, active young Shawnee, a son of 
the victim's captor, sprang into the ring, and cutting the cords 
which bound him to the stake, led him out amidst the deafening 
plaudits of a part of the crowd and the execrations of the rest. Re- 
gardless of threats, he caused water to be brought and the black to 
be washed from the face and hands of the prisoner, whose clothes 
were then returned to him, when the young brave said: "I take 
this young man to be my brother, in the ]»lace of one I lately lost; 



60 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

I loved that brother well; I will love this one, too; my old mother 
will be glad when I tell her that I have brought her a son, in place 
of the dear departed one. We want no more victims. The burning 
of Red-head [Hinton] ought to satisfy us. These innocent young 
men do not merit 6uch cruel fate; I would rather die myself than 
see this adopted brother burned at the stake." 

A loud shout of approbation showed that the young Shawnee had 
triumphed, though dissension was manifest among the various 
tribes afterward. Some of them abandoned their trip to Detroit, 
others returded to Wa-puc-ca-nat-ta, a few turned toward the Mis- 
sissinewa and the Wabash towns, while a portion continued to De- 
troit. Holman was taken back to Wa-puc-ca-nat ta, where he re- 
mained most of the time of his captivity. Rue was taken first to 
the Mississinewa, then to the Wabash towns. Two years of hh 
eventful captivity were spent in the region of the Wabash and Illi- 
nois rivers, but the last few months at Detroit; was in captivity 
altogether about three years and a half. 

Rue effected his escape in the following manner: During one of 
the drunken revels of the Indians near Detroit one of them lost a 
purse of $90; various tribes were suspected of feloniously keeping 
the treasure, and much ugly speculation was indulged in as to who 
was the thief. At length a prophet of a tribe that was not suspected 
was called to divine the mystery. He spread sand over a green 
deer-skin, watched it awhile and performed various manipulations, 
and professed to see that the money had been stolen and carried 
away by a tribe entirely different from any that had been 
fiuspicioned; but he was shrewd enough not to announce who the 
thief was or the tribe he belonged to, lest a war might arise. His 
decision quieted the belligerent uprisings threatened by the excited 
Indians. 

Rue and two other prisoners saw this display of the prophet's 
skill and conclud'^d to interrogate him soon concerning their fami- 
lies at home. The opportunity occurred in a few days, and the In- 
dian seer actually astonished Rue with the accuracy with which he 
described his family, and added, " You all intend to make your 
escape, and you will effect it soon. You will meet with many trials 
and hardships in passing over so wild a district of country, inhabited 
by BO many hostile nations of Indians. You will almost starve to 
death; but about the time you have given up all hope of finding 
game to sustain you in your famished condition, succor will come 
when you least expect it The first game you will succeed in taking 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



51 



will be a male of some kind; after that you will have plenty of 
game and return home in safety." 

The prophet kept this matter a secret for the prisoners, and the 
latter in a few days set off upon their terrible journey, and had 
just such experience as the Indian prophet had foretold; they 
arrived home with their lives, but were pretty well worn out with the 
exposures and privations of a three weeks' journey. 

On the return of Holman's party of Indians to Wa-puc-ca-nat-ta, 
much dissatisfaction existed in regard to the manner of his release 
from the sentence of condemnation pronounced against him by the 
council. Many were in favor of recalling the council and trying 
him again, and this was finally agreed to. The young man was 
again put upon trial for his life, with a strong probability of his 
being condemned to the stake. Both parties worked hard for vic- 
tory in the final vote, which eventually proved to give a majority of 
one for the prisoner's acquittal. 

While with the Indians, Holman saw them burn at the stake a 
Kentuckian named Eichard Hogeland, who had been taken prisoner 
at the defeat of Col. Crawford. They commenced burning him at 
nine o'clock at night, and continued roasting him until ten o'clock 
the next day, before he expired. During his excruciating tortures he 
begged for some of them to end his life and sufferings with a gun 
or1;omahawk. Finally his cruel tormentors promised they would, 
and cut several deep gashes in his flesh with their tomahawks, and 
shoveled up hot ashes and embers and threw them into the gaping 
wounds. When he was dead they stripped off his scalp, cut him 
to pieces and burnt him to ashes, which they scattered through the 
town to expel the evil spirits from it. 

After a captivity of about three years and a half, Holman saw an 
opportunity of going on amission for the destitute Indians, namely, 
of going to Harrodsburg, Ky., where he had a rich uncle, from 
whom they could get what supplies they wanted. They let him go 
with a guard, but on arriving at Louisville, where Gen. Clark was 
in command, he was ransomed, and he reached home only three 
days after the arrival of Rue. Both these men lived to a good old 
age, terminating their lives at their home about two miles south of 
Eichmond, Ind. 



EXPEDITIONS OF COL. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 

In the summer of 1778, Col. George Rogers Clark, a native of 
Albemarle county, Va., led a memorable expedition against the 
ancient French settlements about Kaskaskia and Post Vincennes. 
With respect to the magnitude of its design, the valor and perse- 
verance with which it was carried on, and the memorable results 
which were produced by it, this expedition stands without a parallel 
in the early annals of the valley of the Mississippi. That portion 
of the West called Kentucky was occupied by Henderson & Co., 
who pretended to own the land and who held it at a high price. 
Col. Clark wished to test the validity of their claim and adjust the 
government of the country so as to encourage immigration. He 
accordingly called a meeting of the citizens at Harrodstown, to 
assemble June 6, 1776, and consider the claims of the company and 
consult with reference to the interest of the country. He did not 
at first publish the exact aim of this movement, lest parties would 
be formed in advance and block the enterprise; also, if the object 
of the meeting were not announced beforehand, the curiosity of the 
people to know what was to be proposed would bring out a much 
greater attendance. 

The meeting was held on the day appointed, and delegates were 
elected to treat with the government of Virginia, to see whether 
it would be best to become a county in that State and be protected 
by it, etc. "Various delays on account of the remoteness of the 
white settlers from the older communities of Virginia and the hos- 
tility of Indians in every direction, prevented a consummation of 
this object until some time in 1778. The government of Virginia 
was friendly to Clark's enterprise to a certain extent, but claimed 
that they had not authority to do much more than to lend a little 
assistance for which payment should be made at some future time, 
as it was not certain whether Kentucky would become a part of Vir- 
ginia or not. Gov. Henrj and a few gentlemen were individually 
80 hearty in favor of Clark's benevolent undertaking that they 
assisted him all they could. Accordingly Mr. Clark organized his 
expedition, keeping every particular secret lest powerful parties 
would form in the West against him. He took in stores at Pitts- 

(52) 




OEN. GEORGE BOGEKS OLABK 



HISTORY or INDIANA. *^*^ 



buro- and Wheeling, proceeded down the Ohio to the "Falls, 
whe're he took possession of an island of a about seven acres, and 
divided it among a small number of families, for whose protection 
he constructed some light fortifications. At this time Post Ym- 
cennes comprised about 400 militia, and it was a daring undertak- 
ing for Col. Clark, with his small force, to go up against it and Kas- 
kaskia, as he had planned. Indeed, some of his men, on hearing of 
his plan, deserted him. He conducted himself so as to gam the 
sympathy of the French, and through them also that of the 
Indians to some extent, as both these people were very bitter 
against the British, who had possession of the Lake Region. 

From the nature of the situation Clark concluded it was best to 
take Kaskaskia first. The fact that the people .regarded him as a 
savage rebel, he regarded as really a good thing in his favor; for 
after the first victory he would show them so much unexpected 
lenity that they would rally to his standard. In this policy he was 
indeed successful. He arrested a few men and put them in irons. 
The priest of the village, accompanied by five or six aged citizens, 
waited on Clark and said that the inhabitants expected to be separ- 
ated, perhaps never to meet again, and they begged to be permitted 
to assemble in their church to take leave of each other. Clark 
mildly replied that he had nothing against their religion, that they 
might continue to assemble in their church, but not venture out of 
town, etc. Thus, by what has since been termed the "Rarey" 
method of taming horses, Clark showed them he had power over 
them but designed them no harm, and they readily took the oath 
of allegiance to Virginia. 

After Clark's arrival at Kaskaskia it was difficult to induce the 
French settlers to accept the "Continental paper" introduced by 
him and his troops. Nor until Col. Yigo arrived there and guar- 
anteed its redemption would they receive it. Peltries and piastres 
formed the only currency, and Yigo found great difficulty in ex- 
plaining Clark's financial arrangements. "Their commandants 
never made money," was the reply to Yigo's explanation of the 
policy of the old Dominion. But notwithstanding the guarantees, 
the Continental paper fell very low in the market. Yigo had a 
trading establishment at Kaskaskia, where he sold cofi'ee at one 
dollar a pound, and all the other necessaries of life at an equally 
reasonable price. The unsophisticated Frenchmen were generally 
asked in what kind of money they would pay their little bills. 



56 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

*^Dorileur," was the genera"^ ^'?plj; and as an authority on the sub- 
ject sayr, '-"^j ' . k about Ivventy Continental dollars to purchase a 
sil vp til of Coii'ee ; and as the French word "douleur" sig- 

nifif- , 1, perhaps no word iither in the French or Eng- 

.^ «; -ressed the idea more correctly than the douleur 
.<■- ita^ dollar. A.t any rate it was truly douleur to the 
iie never received a single dollar in exchange for the 
_ -^r; uiiount taken from him in order to sustain Clark's credit. 

Now, il'O post at Yincennes, defended by Yivt Sackville, came 
next. The priest just mentioned^ Mr. Gibau.lt, was really fH -ndi 
to "the American interest;" he had spiritual charge of the church 
at Vincenrief, and he with several others were deputed to assemble 
tl e people there and authorize them to garrison their owr Cort like 
s, i'ree and independent people, etc. This plan had its dee.. '. ■ b .. 
and the people took the oath of allegiance to the State oi Vi:. i, . • 
and became citi.^ens of the United States. Their style ol ;: - '- 
and conduct changed to a better hue, and they surprised ihe nu,- / 
ou8 Indiars in the vicinity by displaying anew flag and informing 
them that their old father, the King of France, was come to Kfe 
again, and was mad at them for fighting the English; and they ad- 
vised them to make peace with the Americans as soon as they 
could, otherwise they might expect to make the land very bloody, 
etc. The Indians concluded they would have to fall in line, and 
they offered no resistance. Capt. Leonard Helm, an American, 
was left in charge of this post, and Clark began to turn his atten- 
tion to other points. But before leaving this section of the coun- 
try he made treaties of peace with the Indians ; this he did, how- 
ever, by a different method from what had always before been 
followed. By indirect methods he caused them to come to him, 
instead of going to them. He was convinced that inviting them to 
treaties was considered by them in a different manner from what 
the whites expe sd, and im uted them to fear, and that giving 
them great presents confiriued it. He accordingly established 
treaties with the Piankeshaws, Ouiatenons, Kickapoos, Illinois, 
Kaskaskias, Peorias and branches of some other tribes that inhab- 
ited the country between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi. 
Upon this the General Assembly of the State of Virginia declared 
all the citizens settled west of the Ohio organized into a county of 
that State, to be known as "Illinois" county; but before the pro- 
visions of the law could be carried into effect, Henry Hamilton, the 
British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit, collected an army of about 



HISTORY OF INDIANA; 



67 



30 regulars, 50 French volauteers and 400 Indians, went down and 
re-took the post Yincennes in December, 1778. No attempt was 
made by the population to defend the town. Gapt. Helm and a 
man named Henry were the only Americans at the fort, the only 
members of the garrison. Capt. Helm was taken prisoner and a 
nnmber of the French inhabitants disarmed. 

Col- Clark, hearing of the situation, determined to re-capture the 
place. He accordingly gathered together what force he could in 
this distant land, 170 men, and on the 5th of February, started from 
Kaskaskia and crossed the river cf that name. The weather was 
very wet, and the low lands were pretty well covered with water. 
The march was difficult, and the Colonel had to work'hard to keep 
his men in spirits. He suffered them to shoot game whenever they 
wished and eat it like Indian war-dancers, each company by turns 
inviting the others to their feasts, which was the case every night 
Clark waded through water as much as any of them, and thus stimu- 
lated the men by his example. They reached the Little Wabash 
on the 13th, after suffering many and great hardships. Here a camp 
was formed, and without waiting to discuss plans for crossing the 
river, Clark ordered the men to construct a vessel, and pretended 
that crossing the stream would be only a piece of amusement, al- 
though inwardly he held a different opinion. 

The second day afterward a reconnoitering party was sent across 
the river, who returned and made an encouraging report. A scaf- 
folding was built on the opposite shore, upon which the baggage 
was placed as it was tediously ferried over, and the new camping 
ground was a nice half acre of dry land. There were many amuse- 
ments, indeed, in getting across the river, which put all the men in 
high spirits. The succeeding two or three days they had to march 
through a great deal of water, having on the night of the 17th to 
encamp in the water, near the Big Wabash. 

At daybreak on the 18th they heard the signal gun at Yincennes, 
and at once commenced their march. Reaching the Wabash about 
two o'clock, they constructed rafts to cross the river on a boat-steal- 
ing expedition, but labored all day and night to no purpose. On 
the 19th they began to make a canoe, in which a second attempt to 
steal boats was made, but this expedition returned, reporting that 
there were two "large fires" within a mile of them. Clark sent a 
canoe down the river to meet the vessel that was supposed to be on 
her way up with the supplies, with orders to hasten forward day and 
night. This was their last hope, as their provisions were entirelj' 



58 H'^rC'RV >'! INDIANA. 

gone, riiid stars'ation socmed to Ite hoverincr about tliem. The next 
day they eoniraenoed to make more canoes, when about noon the 
sentinel on the river brought a boat with five Frenchmen from the 
fort. From this party they learned that tl\ey were not as yet dis- 
covered. All the army crossed the river in two canoes the next 
day, and as Clark had detottained to reach the town that night, he 
ordered his men to move forward. They plunged into the water 
sometimes to the neck, for over three miles. 

Without food, benumbed with cold, up to their waists in water, 
covered with broken ice, the men at one time mutinied and refused 
to march. All the persuasions of Clark had no effect upon the 
half-starved and half-frozen soldiers. In one company was a small 
drummer boy, and also a sergeant who stood six feet two inches in 
80cks, and stout and athletic. He was devoted to Clark. The Gen- 
eral mounted the little drummer on the shoulders of the stalwart 
sergeant and ordered him to plunge into the water, half-frozen as it 
was. He did so, the little boy beating the charge from his lofty 
perch, while Clark, sword in hand, followed them, giving the com- 
mand as he threw aside the floating ice, "Forward." Elated and 
amused with the scene, the men promptly obeyed, holding their 
rifles above their heads, and in spite of all the obstacles they reached 
the high land in perfect safety. But for this and the ensuing days 
of this campaign we quote from Clark's account: 

" This last day's march through the water was far superior to any- 
thing the Frenchmen had any idea of. They were backward in 
speaking; said that the nearest land to us was a small league, a 
sugar camp on th6 bank of the river. A canoe was sent off and re- 
turned without finding that we could pass. I went in her myself 
and sounded the water and found it as deep as to ray neck. I returned 
with a design to have the men transported on board the canoes to 
the sugar camp, which I knew would expend the whole day and en- 
suing night, as the vessels would pass slowly through the bushes. 
The loss of so much time to men half starved was a matter of con- 
sequence. I would have given now a great deal for a day's provis- 
ion, or for one of our horses. I returned but slowly to the troops, 
giving myself time to think. On our arrival all ran to hear what 
was the report; every eye was fixed on me; I unfortunately spoke 
in a serious manner to one of the oflScers. The whole were alarmed 
without knowing what I said. I viewed their confusion for about 
one minute; I whispered to those near me to do as I did, immedi- 
ately put some water in my hand, poured on powder, blackened my 



I 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 59 

face, gave the war-whoop, and marched into the water without say- 
insj a word. The party gazed and fell in, one after another without 
saying a word, like a flock of sheep. I ordered those near me to 
begin a favorite song of theirs; it soon passed through the line, and 
the whole went on cheerfully. 

" I now intended to have them transported across the deepest 
part of the water; but when about waist-deep, one of the men in- 
formed me that he thought he felt a path; we examined and found 
it so, and concluded that it kept on the highest ground, which it did, 
and by taking pains to follow it, we got to the sugar camp with no 
difficulty, where there was about half an acre of dry ground, — at 
least ground not under water, and there we took up our lodging. 
****** 

" The night had been colder than any we had had, and the ice in 
the morning was one-half or three-quarters of an inch thick in still 
water; the morning was the finest. A little after sunrise I lectured 
the whole; what I said to them I forget, but I concluded by in- 
forming them that passing the plain then in full view, and 
reaching the opposite woods would put an end to their fatigue; 
that in a few hours they would have a sight of their long wished-for 
object; and immediately stepped into the water without waiting 
for any reply. A huzza took place. As we generally marched 
through the water in a line, before the third man entered, I called to 
Major Bowman, ordering him to fall in the rear of the 25 men, and 
put to death any man who refused to march. This met with a cry 
of approbation, and on we went. Getting about the middle of the 
plain, the water about mid-deep, I found myself sensibly failing; 
and as there were no trees nor bushes for the men to support them- 
selves by, I feared that many of the weak would be drowned. I or- 
dered the canoes to make the land, discharge their loading, and play 
backward and forward with all diligence and pick up the men ; and 
to encourage the party, sent some of the strongest men forward, 
with orders when they got to a certain distance, to pass the word 
back that the water was getting shallow, and when getting near the 
woods, to cry out land. This stratagem had its desired effect; the 
men exerted themselves almost beyond their abilities, the weak 
holding by the stronger. The water, however, did not become 
shallower, but continued deepening. Getting to the woods where 
the men expected land, the water was up to my shoulders; but 
gaining the woods was of great consequence; all the low men and 
weakly hung to the trees and floated on the old logs until they 



60 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

taken off by the canoes; the strong and tall got ashore and built 
fires. Many would reach the shore and fall with their bodies half 
in the water, not being able to support themselves without it. 

" This was a dry and delightful spot of ground of about ten acres. 
Fortunately, as if designed by Providence, a canoe of Indian squaws 
and children was coming up to town, and took through this part of 
the plain as a nigh way; it was discovered by our canoe-men as they 
were out after the other men. They gave chase and took the Indian 
canoe, on board of which was nearly half a quarter of buffalo, some 
corn, tallow, kettles, etc. This was an invaluable prize. Broth was 
immediately made and served out, especially to the weakly; nearly 
all of us got a little; but a great many gave their part to the 
weakly, saying something cheering to their comrades. By the 
afternoon, this refreshment and fine weather had greatly invigor- 
ated the whole party. 

" Crossing a narrow and deep lake in the canoes, and marching 
some distance, we came to a copse of timber called ' Warrior's 
Island.' We were now in full view of the fort and town; it was 
about two miles distant, with not a shrub intervening. Every man 
now feasted his eyes and forgot that he had suffered anything, say- 
ing that all which had passed was owing to good policy, and noth- 
ing but what a man could bear, and that a soldier had no right to 
think, passing from one extreme to the other, — which is common in 
such cases. And now stratagem was necessary. The plain between 
U8 and the town was not a perfect level ; the sunken grounds were 
covered with water full of ducks. We observed several men within 
a half a mile of us shooting ducks, and sent out some of our active 
young Frenchmen to take one of these men prisoners without 
alarming the rest, which they did. The information we got from 
this person was similar to that which we got from those taken on the 
river, except that of the British having that evening completed the 
wall of the fort, and that there were a great many Indians in town. 

*' Our situation was now critical. No possibility of retreat in 
case of defeat, and in full view of a town containing at this time 
more than 600 men, troops, inhabitants and Indians. The crew of the 
galley, though not 50 men, would have been now a re-enforcement 
of immense magnitude to our little army, if I may so call it, but 
we would not think of them. We were now in the situation that I 
had labored to get ourselves in. The idea of being made prisoner 
was foreign to almost every man, as they expected nothing but tor- 
ture from the savages if they fell into their hands. Our fate was 



61 

HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

now to be determined, probably in a few hours; we knew that 
nothing but the most daring conduct would insure success; I knew 
also that a number of the inhabitants wished us well. This was a 
favorable circumstance; and as there was but little prooability of our 
remaining until dark undiscovered, I determined to begin opera- 
tions immediately, and therefore wrote the following placard to the 
inhabitants: 

To the Inhabitants of Post Vincennes: 

Gentlemen: — Being now within two miles of your village with 
my army, determined to take your fort this night, and not being 
willing to surprise you, I take this method to request such of you 
as are true citizens and willing to enjoy the liberty I bring you, to 
remain still in your houses; and those, if any there be, that are 
friends to the king, will instantly repair to the fort and join the 
hair-buyer general and fight like men; and if any such as do not go 
to the fort shall be discovered afterward, they may depend on 
severe punishment. On the contrary, those who are true friends 
to liberty may depend on being well treated; and I once more 
request them to keep out of the sfreets ; for every one I find in 
arms on my arrival I shall treat as an enemy. 

[Signed] G. K. Claek. 

*' I had various ideas on the results of this letter. I knew it 
could do us no damage, but that it would cause the lukewarm to 
be decided, and encourage our friends and astonish our enemies. 
We anxiously viewed this messenger until he entered the town, and 
in a few minutes we discovered by our glasses some stir in every 
street we could penetrate, and great numbers running or riding out 
into the commons, we supposed to view us, which was the case. 
But what surprised us was that nothing had yet happened that had 
the appearance of the garrison being alarmed, — neither gun nor 
drum. We began to suppose that the information we got from our 
prisoners was. false, and that the enemy had already knew of us and 
were prepared. A little before sunset we displayed ourselves in 
full view of the town,— crowds gazing at us. We were plunging 
ourselves into certain destruction or success ; there was no midway 
thought of. We had but little to say to our men, except inculcat- 
ing an idea of the necessity of obedience, etc. We moved on 
slowly in full view of the town; but as it was a point of some con- 
sequence to us to make ourselves appear formidable, we, in leaving 
the covert we were in, marched and counter- marched in such a 
manner that we appeared numerous. Our colors were displayed to 
the best advantage; and as the low plain we marched through was 



62 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

not a perfect level, but had frequent risings in it, of 7 or 8 
higher than the common level, which was covered with water; and 
as these risings generally run in an oblique direction to the town, 
we took the advantage of one of them, marching through the water 
by it, which completely prevented our being numbered. We gained 
the heights back of the town. As there were as yet no hostile 
appearance, we were impatient to have the cause unriddled. Lieut. 
Bayley was ordered with 14 men to march and fire on the fort; 
the main body moved in a different direction and took possession 
of the strongest part of the town.'* 

Clark then sent a written order to Hamilton commanding 
him to surrender immediately or he would be treated as a 
murderer; Hamilton replied that he and his garrison were not 
disposed to be awed into any action unworthy of British sub- 
jects. After one hour more of fighting, Hamilton proposed a 
truce of three days for conference, on condition that each side 
cease all defensive work; Clark rejoined that he would "not 
agree to any terms other than Mr. Hamilton surrendering himself 
and garrison prisoners at discretion," and added that if he, Hamil- 
ton, wished to talk with him he could meet him immediately at the 
church with Capt. Helm. In less than an hour Clark dictated the 
termsof surrender, Feb. 24, 1779. Hamilton agreed to the total 
surrender because, as he there claimed in writing, he was too far 
from aid from his own government, and because of the " unanimity" 
of his officers in the surrender, and his "confidence in a generous 
enemy." 

"Ofthi3expedition,of its results, of its importance, of the merits of 
those engaged in it, of their bravery, their skill, of their prudence, of 
their success, a volume would not more than suflBce for the details. 
SuflBce it to say that in my opinion, and I have accurately and criti- 
cally weighed and examined all the results produced by the con- 
tests in which we were engaged during the Revolutionary war, 
that for bravery, for hardships endured, for skill and consummate 
tact and prudence on the part of the commander, obedience, dis- 
cipline and love of country on the part of his followers, for the 
immense benefits acquired, and signal advantages obtained by it 
for the whole union, it was second to no enterprise undertaken dur- 
ing that struggle. I might add, second to no undertaking in an- 
cient or modern warfare. The whole credit of this conquest be- 
longs to two men ; Gen. George Rogers Clark and Col. Francis 
Vigo. And when we consider that by it the whole territory now- 



HISTORY OF I.N DIANA. 63 

Governed bj the three great states of Indiana, Illinois and Michigan 
was added to the union, and so admitted to be by the British commis- 
sioners at the preliminaries to the treaty of peace in 1783; (and but 
for this very conquest, the boundaries of our territories west would 
have been the Ohio instead of the Mississippi, and so acknowledged 
by both our commissioners and the British at that conference;) a 
territory embracing upward of 2,CC0,000 people, the human mind 
is lost in the contemplation of its effects; and we can but wonder 
that a force of 170 men, the whole number of Clark's troops, 
should by this single action have produced such important results." 
[John Law. 



The next day Clark sent a detachment of 60 men up the river 
Wabash to intercept some boats which were laden with provisions 
and goods from Detroit. This force was placed under command of 
Capt. Helm, Major Bosseron and Major Legras, and they proceeded 
up the river, in three armed boats, about 120 miles, when the 
British boats, about seven in number, were surprised and captured 
without firing a gun. These boats, which had on board about 
$50,000 worth of goods and provisions, were manned by aboat 
40 men, among whom was Philip Dejean, a magistrate of Detroit. 
The provisions were taken for the public, and distributed among 
the soldiery. 

Having organized a military government at Vincennes and 
appointed Capt. Helm commandant of the town. Col. Clark return- 
ed in the vessel to Kaskaskia, where he was joined by reinforce- 
ments from Kentucky under Capt. George. Meanwhile, a party of 
traders who were going to the falls, were killed and plundered by 
the Delawares of White River; the news of this disaster having 
reached Clark, he sent a dispatch to Capt. Helm ordering him to 
make war on the Delawares and use every means in his power to 
destroy them; to show no mercy to the men, but to save the 
women and children. This order was executed without delay. 
Their camps were attacked in every quarter where they could be 
found. Many fell, and others were carried to Post Vincennes and 
put to death. The surviving Delawares at once pleaded for mercy 
and appeared anxious to make some atonement for their bad con- 
duct. To these overtures Capt. Helm replied that Col. Clark, the 
" Big Knife," had ordered the war, and that he had no power to lay 
down the hatchet, but that he would suspend hostilities until a 
messenger could be sent to Kaskaskia. This was done, and the 
crafty Colonel, well understanding the Indian character, sent a 



6i H16T0RY OF INDIANA. 

message to the Delawares, telling them tliat he would not accept 
their friendship or treat with them for peace; but that if tliej 
could get some of the neighboring tribes to become responsible for 
their future conduct, he would discontinue the war and spare their 
lives; otherwise thej must all perish. 

Accordingly a council yaf called of all the Indians in the neigh- 
borhood, and Clark's answer was read to the assembly. After due 
deliberation the Piankesbaws took on themselves to answer for the 
future good conduct of the Delawares, and the " Grand Door " in a 
long speech denounced their base conduct. This ended the war 
with the Delawares and secured the respect of the neighboring 
tribes. 

Clark'e attention was next turned to the British post at Detroit, 
but being unable to obtain sufficient troops he abandoned the en- 
terprise, 

Clark's ingenious kuse against the Indians. 

Tradition says that when Clark captured Hamilton and his gar- 
rison at Fort Sackville, he took possession of the fort and kept the 
British flag flying, dressed his sentinels with the uniform of the 
British soldiery, and let everything about the premises remain as 
they were, so that when the Indians sympathizing with the British 
arrived they would walk right into the citadel, into the jaws of 
death. His success was perfect. Sullen and silent, with the scalp- 
lock of his victims hanging at his girdle, and in full expectation of 
his reward from Hamilton, the unwary savage, unconscious of 
danger and wholly ignorant of the change that had just beenefiected 
in his absence, passed the supposed British sentry at the gate of the 
fort unmolested and unchallenged; but as soon as in, a volley from 
the rifles of a platoon of Clark's men, drawn up and awaiting his 
coming, pierced their hearts and sent the unconscious savage, reek- 
ing with murder, to that tribunal to which he had so frequently, 
by order of the hair-buyer gener;^, sent his American captives, 
from the infant in the cradle to the grandfather of the family, tot- 
tering with age and intirmity. It was a just retribution, and few 
men but Clark would have planned such a ruse or carried it out 
successfully. It is reported that fifty Indians met this fate within 
the fort; and probably Hamilton, a prisoner there, witnessed it all. 

SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF HAMILTON. 

Henry Hamilton, who had acted as Lieutenant and Governor of 
the British possessions under Sir George Carleton, was sent for- 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



65 



ward, with two other prisoners of war, Dejean and LaMothe, to 
Williamsburg, Va., early in June following, 1779. Proclamations, 
in his own handwriting, were found, in which he had offered a 
specific sum for every American scalp brought into the camp, either 
by his own troops or his allies, the Indians; and from this he was 
denominated the "hair-buyer General." This and much other tes- 
timony of living witnesses at the time, all showed what a savage he 
was. Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia, being made 
aware of the inhumanity of this wretch, concluded to resort to a 
little retaliation by way of closer confinement. Accordingly he 
ordered tha,t these three prisoners be put in irons, confined in a 
dungeon, deprived of the use of pen, ink and paper, and be ex- 
cluded from all conversation except with their keeper. Major 
General Phillips, a British officer out on parole in the vicinity of 
Charlottesville, where the prisoners now were, in closer confine- 
ment, remonstrated, and President Washington, while approving 
of Jefferson's course, requested a mitigation of the severe order, 
lest the British be goaded to desperate measures. 

Soon afterward Hamilton was released on parole, and he subse- 
quently appeared in Canada, still acting as if he had jurisdiction 
in the United States. 



The faithful, self-sacrificing and patriotic services of Father 
Pierre Gibault in behalf of the Americans require a special notice 
of him in this connection. He was the parish priest at Vincennes, 
as well as? at Kaskaskia. He was, at an early period, a Jesuit mis- 
sionary to the Illinois. Had it not been for the influence of this man, 
Clark could not have obtained the influence of the citizens at either 
place. He gave all his property, to the value of 1,500 Spanish 
milled dollars, to the support of Col. Clark's troops, and never re- 
ceived a single dollar in return. So far as the records inform us, 
he was given 1,500 Continental paper dollars, which proved in the 
end entirely valueless. He modestly petitioned from the Govern- 
m ^nt a small allowance of land at Cahokia, but we find no account 
of his ever receiving it. He was dependent upon the public in his 
older days, and in 1790 Winthrop Sargent "conceded" to him a lot 
of about "14 toises, one side to Mr. Millet, another to Mr. Yaudrey, 
and to two streets," — a vague description of land. 



66 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

VIGO. 

Col. Francis Vigo was born in Mondovi, in the kingdom of Sar- 
dinia, in 1747. He left his parents and guardians at a very early 
age, and enlisted in a Spanish regiment as a soldier. The regiment 
was ordered to Havana, and a detachment of it subsequently to 
New Orleans, then a Spanish post; Col. Vigo accompanied this de- 
tachment. But he left the army and engaged in trading with the 
Indians on the Arkansas and its tributaries. Next he settled at St. 
Louis, also a Spanish post, where he became closely connected, both 
in friendship and business, with the Governor of Upper Louisiana, 
then residing at the same place. This friendship he enjoyed, though 
he could only write his name ; and we have many circumstantial 
evidences that he was a man of high intelligence, honor, purity of 
heart, and ability. Here he was living when Clark captured Kv*s- 
kaskia, and was extensively engaged in trading up the Missouri. 

A Spaniard by birth and allegiance, he was under no obligation 
to assist the Americans. Spain was at peace with Great Britain, 
and any interference by her citizens was a breach of neutrality, and 
subjected an individual, especially one of the high character and 
standing of Col. Vigo, to all the contumely, loss and vengeance 
which British power could inflict. But Col. Vigo did not falter. 
With an innate love of liberty, an attachment to Republican prin- 
ciples, and an ardent sympathy for an oppressed people struggling 
for their rights, he overlooked all personal consequences, and as 
soon as he learned of Clark's arrival at Kaskaskia, he crossed the 
line and went to Clark and tendered him his means and influence, 
both of which were joyfully accepted. 

Knowing Col. Vigo's influence with the ancient inhabitants of 
the conntry, and desirous of obtaining some information from 
Vincennes, from which he had not heard for several months. Col. 
Clark proposed to him that he might go to that place and learn the 
actual state of affairs. Vigo went without hesitation, but on the 
Embarrass river he was seized by a party of Indians, plundered of 
all he possessed, and brought a prisoner before Hamilton, then in pos- 
session of the post, which he had a short time previously captured, 
holding Capt. Helm a prisoner of war. Being a Spanish subject, 
and consequently a non-combatant. Gov. Hamilton, although he 
strongly suspected the motives of the visit, dared not confine him, 
but admitted him to parole, on the single condition that he 
ahonld daily report himself at the fort. But Hamilton was embar- 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

rassed by his detention, being besieged by the inhabitants of the 
rw7-ho loved Vigo and threatened to withdraw the.r suppo 
from tL ..arrison if he would not release him. Father G.bault was 
he'we pleader for Vigo's release. Ilan.ilton finally Jje ded, on ecu. 
dkion hat he, Vigo, would do no injury to the Br.tish mterests on 
h iway to St. Louis. He went to St. Louis, sure -ough doing no 
in uVto British mterests, but immediately returned to Kaskaskm 
and reported to Clark in detail all he had learned at Vincenne, 
Tilut which knowledge Clark would have been unabe to ac- 
complish his famous expedition to that post with final tnumph. 
ThTredemption of this country from the British ,s due as much, 
probably, to Col. Vigo as Col. Clark. 

GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST. 
Col John Todd, Lieutenant for the county of Illinois in the 
swing of 1779 visited the old settlements at Vincennes and Kas- 
kaskia, and organized temporary civil governments m "early aU the 
settlements west of the Ohio. Previous to this, however, Clark 
had established a military government at Kaskaskia and Vincennes, 
appointed commandants in both places and taken up h>s headquar- 
ters at the falls of the Ohio, where he could watch the operations 
of the enemy and save the frontier settlements ro,n *e depreda^ 
tions of Indian warfare. On reaching the settlements, Col. Todd 
issued a proclamation regulating the settlement of unoccupied 
lands and requiring the presentation of all claims to the lands set- 
tLd as the numbef of adventurers who would shortly c.-errun the 
country would be serious. He also organized a Court of civil and 
criminal jurisdiction at Vincennes, in the month of June, 1779. 
This Court was composed of several magistrates and presided over 
bv Col J M. P. Legras, who had been appointed commandant at 
Vincennes. Acting from the precedents established by the early 
French commandants in the West, this Court began to grant tracts 
of land to the French and American inhabitants; and to the year 
1783, it had granted to different parties about 28,000 acres of land; 
22,000 more was granted in this manner by 1787, when the practice 
was prohibited by Gen. Harmer. These tracts varied m size from 
a house lot to 500 acres. Besides this loose business, the Court 
entered into a stupendous speculation, one not altogether creditable 
to its honor and dignity. The commandant and the magistrates 
under Um suddenly adopted the opinion that they were mveate^ 



68 HISTORY OF INDIANA. * 

with the authority to dispose of the whole of that large region 
which in 1842 iiad been gfanted by the Piankeshaws to the French 
inhabitants ot* Vincennts. Accordingly a very convenient arrange- 
ment was entered into by which the whole tract of country men- 
tioned was to be divided between the members of the honorable 
Court. A record was made to that effect, and in order to gloss over 
the et^al, each member took pains to be absent from Court on the 
day that the order was made in his favor. 

In the fall of 1780 La Balme, a Frenchman, made an attempt to 
capture the British garrison of Detroit by leading an expedition 
against it from Kaskaskia. At the head of 30 men he marched to 
Vincennes, where his force was slightly increased. From this 
place he proceeded to the British trading post at the head of the 
Maumee, where Fort Wayne now stands, plundered the Briti h 
traders and Indians and then retired. While encamped on the 
bank of a small stream on his retreat, he was attacked bv a band 
of Miamis, a number of his men were killed, and his expedition 
against Detroit was ruined. 

In this manner border war continued between Americans and 
their enemies, with varying victory, until 1783, when the treaty of 
Paris was concluded, resulting in the establishment of the inde- 
pendence of the United States. Up to this time the territory now 
included in Indiana belonged by conquest to the State of Yirginia; 
but in January, 1783, the General Assembly of that State resolved 
to cede to the Congress of the United States all the territory north- 
west of the Ohio. The conditions offered by Yirginia were 
accepted by Congress Dec. 20, that year, and early in 1784 the 
transfer was completed. In 1783 Virginia had platted the town of 
Clarksville, at the falls of the Ohio. The deed of cession provided 
that the territory should be laid out into States, containing a suita- 
ble extent of territory not less than 100 nor more than 150 miles 
square, or as neu,r thereto as circumstances would perLiit; and that 
the States so formed shall be distinct Republican States and 
admitted members of the Federal Union, having the same rights of 
sovereignty, freedom and independence as the other States. The 
other conditions of the deed were as follows: That the necessary 
and reasonable expenses incurred by Yirginia in subduing any 
British posts, or in maintaining forts and garrisons within and for 
the defense, or in acquiring any part of the territory so ceded or 
relinquished, shall be fully reimbursed by the United States; that 
the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the Kas- 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 69 

kaskia, Post Vincennes and the neighboring villages who have pro- 
fessed themselves citizens of Virginia, shall have their titles and 
possessions confirmed to them, and be protected in the enjoyment 
of their rights and privileges; that a quantity not exceeding 150,- 
000 acres of land, promised by Virginia, shall be allowed and 
granted to the then Colonel, now General, George Rogers Clark, 
and to the officers and soldiers of his regiment, who marched with 
him when the posts and of Kaskas^a and Vincennes were reduced, 
and to the officers and soldiers that have been since incorporated 
into the said regiment, to be laid off in one tract, the length of 
which not to exceed double the breadth, in such a place on the 
northwest side of the Ohio as a majority of the officers shall 
choose, and to be afterward divided among the officers and soldiers 
in due proportion according to the laws of Virginia; that in case 
the quantity of good lands on the southeast side of the Ohio, upon 
the waters of Cumberland river, and between Green river and Ten. 
nessee river, which have been reserved by law for the Virginia 
troops upon Continental estabUshment, should, from the North 
Carolina line, bearing in further upon the Cumberland lands than 
was expected, prove insufficient for their legal bounties, the defi- 
ciency shall be made up to the said troops in good lands to be laid 
off between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami, on the northwest 
side of the river Ohio, in such proportions as have been engaged 
to them by the laws of Virginia; that all the lands within the ter- 
ritory so ceded to the United States, and not reserved for or appro- 
priated to any of the before-mentioned purposes, or disposed of in 
bounties to the officers and soldiers of the American army, shall be 
considered as a common fund for the use and benefit of such of the 
United States as have become, or shall become, members of the 
confederation or federal alliance of the said States, Virginia included, 
according to their usual respective proportions in the general 
charge and expenditure, and shall be faithfully and bona fide dis- 
posed of for that purpose and for no other use or purpose whatever. 
After the above deed of cession had been accepted by Congress, 
in the spring of 1784, the matter of the future government of the 
territory was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Jeffer- 
son of Virginia, Chase of Maryland and Howell of Rhode Island, 
which committee reported an ordinance for its government, provid- 
ing, among other things, that slavery should not exist in said terri- 
tory after 1800, except as punishment of criminals; but this article 
of the ordinance was rejected, and an ordinance for the temporary 



70 HISTORY OF INDIANA, 

government of the county was adopted. In 1785 laws were passed 
by Congress for the disposition of lands in the territory and pro- 
hibiting the settlement of unappropriated lands by reckless specu- 
lators. But human passion is ever strong enough to evade the law 
to some extent, and large associations, representing considerable 
means, were formed for the purpose of monopolizing the land busi- 
ness. Millions of acres were sold at one time by Congress to asso- 
ciations on the installment plan, and so far as the Indian titles 
could be Extinguished, the work of settling and improving the 
lands was pushed rapidly forward. 

OEDINANCE OF 1787. 

This ordinaace has a marvelous and interesting history. Con- 
siderable controversy has been indulged in as to who is entitled to 
the credit for framing it. This belongs, undoubtedly, to Nathan 
Dane; and to Rufus King and Timothy Pickering belong the 
credit for suggesting the proviso contained in it against slavery, 
and also for aids to religion and knowledge, and for assuring for- 
ever the common use, without charge, of the great national high- 
ways of the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence and their tributaries to 
all the citizens of the United States. To Thomas Jefferson is also 
due much credit, as some features of this ordinance were embraced 
in his ordinance of 1784. But the part taken by each in the long, 
laborious and eventful struggle which had so glorious a consum- 
mation in the ordinance, consecrating forever, by one imprescript- 
ible and unchangeable monument, the very heart of our country to 
Freedom, Knowledge, and Union, will forever honor the names of 
those illustrious statesmen. 

Mr. Jefferson had vainly tried to secure a system of government 
for the Northwestern territory. He was an emancipationist and 
favored the exclusion of slavery from the territory, but the South 
voted him down every time he proposed a measure of this nature. 
In 1787, as late as July 10, an organizing act without the anti- 
slavery clause was pending. This concession to the South was 
expected to carry it. Congress was in session in New York. On 
July 5, Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came into New 
York to lobby on the Northwestern territory. Everything seemed 
to fall into his hands. Events were ripe. The state of the public 
credit, the growing of Southern prejudice, the basis of his mission, 
his personal character, all combined to complete one of those sudden 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 71 

and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that once in five or 
ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the breath of the 
Almighty. 

Cutler was a graduate of 1 ale. Tie had stuf jd and taken de- 
grees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity. 
He had published a scientific examination of the plants of New 
England. As a scientist in America his name stood second only to 
that of Franklin. He was a courtly gentleman of the old style, a 
man of commanding presence and of inviting face. The Southern 
members said they had never seen such a gentleman ^'^ the North. 
He came representing a Massachusetts company that lieoirAd to 
purchase a tract of land, now included in Ohio, for the purpose of 
planting a colony. It was a speculation. Government money was 
worth eighteen cents on the dollar. This company had collected 
enough to purchase 1,500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in 
New York made Dr. Cutler their agent, which enabled him to 
represent a demand for 5,500,000 acres. As this would reduce the 
national debt, and Jefierson's policy was to provide for the public 
credit, it presented a good opportunity to do something. 

Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was 
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the North- 
western region. This fired the zeal of Yirginia. The South caught 
the inspiration, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The entire South raL 
lied around him. Massachusetts could not vote against him, be- 
cause many of the constuitents of her members were interested 
personally in the Western speculation. Thus Cutler, making 
friends in the South, and doubtless using all the arts of the lobby, 
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convic- 
tions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents 
of wise statesmanship that has ever adorned any human law book. 
He borrowed from Jefierson the term "Articles of Compact," which, 
preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred char- 
acter. He then followed very closely the constitution of Massa- 
chusetts, adoDted three years before. Its most Drominent point*- 
were: 

1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever. 

2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a semi- 
nary and every section numbered 16 in each township; that is, one 
thirty-sixth of all the land for public schools, 

3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or 
the enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existins' cont^actfl- 



72 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

Be it forever remembered that this comjjact declared that '' re- 
ligion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good govern- 
ment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of edu- 
cation shall always be encouraged." Dr. Cutler planted himself 
on this platform and would not yield. Giving his unqualified dec- 
laration that it was that or -nothing, — that unless they could make 
the land desirable they did not want it, — he took his horse and buggy 
and started for the constitutional convention at Philadelphia, On 
July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was unani- 
mously adopted. Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan and Wisconsin, a vast empire, were consecrated to free 
dom, intelligence, and morality. Thus the great heart of the nation 
was prepared to save the union of States, for it was this act that was 
the salvation of the republic and the destruction of slavery. Soon 
the South saw their great blunder and tried to have the compact 
repealed. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee, of which 
John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance 
"was a compact and opposed repeal. Thus it stood, a rock in the 
way of the on-rushing sea of slavery. 

The " Northwestern Territory " included of course what is now 
the State of Indiana; and Oct 5, 1787, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair 
was elected by Congress Governor of this territory. Upon 
commencing the duties of his office he was instructed to ascertain 
the real temper of the Indians and do all in his power to remove 
the causes for controversy between them and the United States, 
and to eifect the extinguishment of Indian titles to all the land 
possible. The Governor took up quarters in the new settlement of 
Marietta, Ohio, where he immediately began the organization of 
the government of the territory. The first session of the General 
Court of the new territory was held at that place in 1788, the 
Judges being Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum and John C. 
Symmes, but under the ordinance Gov. St. Clair was President of 
the Court. After the first session, and after the necessary laws for 
government were adopted. Gov. St, Clair, accompanied by the 
Judges, visited Kaskaskia for the purpose of organizing a civil gov- 
ernment there. Full instructions had been sent to Maj. Hamtramck, 
commandant at Vincennes, to ascertain the exact feeling and temper 
of the Indian tribes of the Wabash. These instructions were ac- 
companied by speeches to each of the tribes. A Frenchman named 
Antoine Gamelin was dispatched with these messages April 5, 1790, 
who visited nearly all the tribes on the Wabash, St. Joseph and St. 






niSTORY OF INDIANA. 



73 



Mary's rivers, but was coldly received; most of the chiefs being 
dissatisfied with the policy of the Americans toward them, and 
prejudiced through English misrepresentation. Full accounts o: 
his adventures among the tribes reached Gov. St. Clair at Kaskas- 
kia in June, 1790. Being satisfied that there was no prospect of 
efiecting a general peace with the Indians of Indiana, he resolved 
to visit Gen. Harmar at his headquarters at Port Washington and 
consult with him on the means of carrying an expedijtion against 
the hostile Indians; but before leaving he intrusted Winthrop 
Sargent, the Secretary of the Territory, with the execution of the 
resolutions of Congress regarding the lands and settlers on the 
Wabash. He directed that oflicer to proceed to Vincennes, lay 
out a county there, establish the militia and appoint the necessary 
civil and military oflScers. Accordingly Mr. Sargent went to Vin- 
cennes and organized Camp Knox, appointed the officers, and noti- 
fied the inhabitants to present their claims to lands. In establish- 
ing these claims the settlers found great difficulty, and concerning 
this matter the Secretary in his report to the President wrote as 
follows: 

" Although the lands and lots which were awarded to the inhabi- 
tants appeared from very good oral testimony to belong to those 
persons to whom they were awarded, either by original grants, pur- 
chase or inheritance, yet there was scarcely one case in twenty 
where the title was complete, owing to the desultory manner in 
which public business had been transacted and some other unfor- 
tunate causes. The original concessions by the French and British 
commandants were generally made upon a small scrap of paper, 
which it has been customary to lodge in the notary's office, who 
has seldom kept any book of record, but committed the most im- 
portant land concerns to loose sheets, which in process of time 
have come into possession of persons that have fraudulently de- 
stroyed them; or, unacquainted with their consequence, innocently 
lost or trifled them away. By French usage they are considered 
family inheritances, and often descend to women and children. In 
one instance, and during the government of St. Ange here, a royal 
notary ran off with all the public papers in his possession, as by a 
certificate produced to me. And I am very sorry further to observe 
that in the office of Mr. Le Grand, which continued from 1777 to 
1787, and where should have been the vouchers for important land 
transactions, the records have been so falsified, and there is such 
gross fraud and forgery, as to invalidate all evidence and informa- 
tion which I might have otherwise acquired from his papers." 



74 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

Mr. Sargent says there were about 150 French families at Yin- 
cennes in 1790. The heads of all these families had been at some 
time vested with certain titles to a portion of the soil ; and while 
the Secretary was bnsy in straightening out these claims, he re- 
ceived a petition signed by 80 Americans, asking for the confirma- 
tion of grants of land ceded by the Court organized by Col. John 
Todd under the authority of Virginia. With reference to this 
cause. Congress, March 3, 1791, empowered the Territorial Governor, 
in cases where land had been actually improved and cultivated 
nnder a supposed grant for the same, to confirm to the persons who 
made such improvements the lands supposed to have been granted, 
not, however, exceeding the quantity of 400 acres to any one per- 
son. 

LIQUOR AND GAMING LAWS. 

The General Court in the summer of 1790, Acting Governor 
Sargent presiding, passed the following laws with reference to 
vending liquor among the Indians and others, and with reference 
to games of chance: 

1. An act to prohibit the giving or selling intoxicating liquors 
to Indians residing in or coming into the Territory of the United 
States northwest of the river Ohio, and for preventing foreigners 
irom trading with Indians therein. 

2. An act prohibiting the sale of spirituous or other intoxicat- 
ing liquors to soldiers in the service of the United States, being 
within ten miles of any military post in the territory; and to pre- 
vent the selling or pawning of arms, ammunition, clothing or 
accoutrements. 

3. An act prohibiting every species of gaming for money or 
property, and for making void contracts and payments made in 
consequence thereof, and for restraining the disorderly practice 
of discharging arms at certain hours and places. 

Winthrop Sargent's administration was highly eulogized by the 
citizens at Vincennes, in a testimonial drawn up and signed by a 
committee of oflScers. He had conducted the investigation and 
settlement of land claims to the entire satisfaction of the residents, 
had upheld the principles of free government in keeping with the 
anitnus of the American Bevolution, and had established in good 
order the machinery of a good and wise government. In the same 
address Major Hamtramck also received a fair share of praise for 
his judicious management of afiairs. 



MILITARY HISTORY 1790-1800. 

EXPEDITIONS OF HARMA.R, SCOTT AND WILKINSON. 

Gov. St. Clair, on his arrival at Fort "Washington from Kas- 
kaskia, had a long conversation with Gen. Harmar, and concluded 
to send a powerful force to chastise the savages about the head- 
waters of the Wabash. He had been empowered by the President 
to call on Virginia for 1,000 troops and on Pennsylvania for 500, 
and he immediatelv availed himself of tliis resource, ordering 300 
of the Virginia militia to muster at Fort Steuben and march with 
the garrison of that fort to Yincennes, and join Maj. Hamtrarack, 
who had orders to call for aid from the militia of Yincennes, march 
up the Wabash, and attack any of the Indian villages which he 
might think he could overcome. The remaining 1,200 of the mi- 
litia were ordered to rendezvous at Fort Washington, and to join 
the regular troops at that post under command of Gen. Harmar. 
At this time the United States troops in the West were estimated 
by Gen. Harmar at 400 effective men. These, with the militia, 
gave him a force of 1,450 men. With this army Gen. Harmar 
marched from Fort Washington Sept. 30, and arrived at the Mau- 
mee Oct. 17. They commenced the work of punishing the Indians, 
but were not very successful. The savages, it is true, received a 
severe scourging, but the militia behaved so badly as to be of little 
or no service. A detachment of 340 militia and 60 regulars, under 
the command of Col. Hardin, were sorely defeated on the Maumee 
Oct. 22. The next day the army took up the line of march for 
Fort Washington, which place they reached Nov. 4, having lost in 
the expedition 183 killed and 31 wounded; the Indians lost about 
as many. During the progress of this expedition Maj. Hamtramck 
marched up the Wabash from Yincennes, as far as the Yermillion 
river, and destroyed several deserted villages, but without finding 
an enemy to oppose him. 

Although the savages seem to have been severely punished by 
these expeditions, yet they refused to sue for peace, and continued 
their hostilities. Thereupon the inhabitants of the frontier settle- 
ments of Virginia took alarm, and the delegates of Ohio, Monon- 

(75) 



76 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

gahela, Harrison, Randolph, Greenbrier, Kanawha and Moni 
goraery counties sent a joint memorial to the Governor of Vir 
ginia, saying that the defenseless condition of the connties, form 
ing a line of nearly 400 miles along the Ohio river, ex^sed to the 
hostile invasion of their Indian enemies, destitnte of every kind ol 
support, was truly alarming; for, notwithstanding all the regula- 
tions of the General Government in that country, they have reason 
to lament that they have been up to that time ineffectual for their 
protection ; nor indeed could it be otherwise, for the garrisons kept 
by the Continental troops on the Ohio river, if of any use at all, 
must protect only the Kentucky settlements, as they immediately 
covered that country. They further stated in their memorial: "We 
beg leave to observe that we have reason to fear that the conse- 
quences of the defeat of our army by the Indians in the late exv>e- 
dition will be severely felt on our frontiers, as there is no doubt 
that the Indians will, in their turn, being flushed with victory, in- 
vade our settlements and exercise all their horrid murder upon the 
inhabitants thereof whenever the weather will permit them to 
travel. Then is it not better to support us where we are, be the ex- 
pense what it may, than to oblige such a number of your brave 
citizens, who have so long supported, and still continue to support, 
a dangerous frontier (although thousands of their relatives in the 
flesh have in the prosecution thereof fallen a sacrifice to savage in- 
ventions) to quit the country, after all they have done and suffered, 
when you know that a frontier must be sup}X)rted somewhere?" 

This memorial .caused the Legislature of Yirginia to authorize 
the Governor of that State to make any defensive operations neces- 
sary for the temporary defense of the frontiers, nntil the general 
Government could adopt and carry out measures to suppress the 
hostile Indians. The Governor at once called upon the military 
commanding officers in the western counties of Virginia to raise by 
the first of March, 1791, several small companies of rangers for thift 
purpose. At the same time Charles Scott was appointed Brigadier- 
General of the Kentucky militia, with authority to raise 226 vol- 
unteers, to protect the most exposed portions of that district. A 
full report of the proceedings of the Virginia Legislature being 
transmitted to Congress, that body constituted a local Board of 
War for the district of Kentucky, consisting of five men. March 9, 
1791, Gen. Henry Knox, Secretary of War, sent a letter of instruc- 
tions to Gen. Scott, recommending an expedition of mounted men 
not exceeding 750, against the Wea towns on the Wabash. With 



HI8TOBY OF INDIANA. 77 

this force Gen. Scott accordingly crossed the Ohio, May 23, 1791, 
and reached the Wabash in about ten days. Many of the Indians, 
having discovered his approach, fled, but he succeeded in destroy- 
ing all the villages around Ouiatenon, together with several Kick- 
apoo towns, killing 32 warriors and taking 58 prisoners. He 
released a few of the most infirm prisoners, giving them a " talk," 
which they carried to the towns farther up the "Wabash, and which 
the wretched condition of his horses prevented him from reaching. 

March 3, 1791, Congress provided for raising and equipping a 
regiment for the protection of the frontiers, and Gov. St. Clair was 
invested with the chief command of about 3,000 troops, to be raised 
and employed against the hostile Indians in the territory over 
which his jurisdiction extended. He was instructed by the Secre- 
tary of War to march to the Miami village and establish a strong 
and permanent military post there; also such posts elsewhere along 
the Ohio as would be in communication with Fort Washington. 
The post at Miami village was intended to keep the savages in that 
vicinity in check, and was ordered to be strong enough in its gar- 
rison to afford a detachment of 500 or 600 men in case of emer- 
gency, either to chastise any of the Wabash or other hostile Indians 
or capture convoys of the enemy's provisions. The Secretary of 
War also urged Gov. St. Clair to establish that post as the first and 
most important part of the campaign. In case of a previous 
treaty the Indians were to be conciliated upon this point if possible; 
and he presumed good arguments might be offered to induce their 
acquiescence. Said he: " Having commenced your march upon the 
main expedition, and the Indians continuing hostile, you will use 
every possible exertion to make them feel the effects of your superi- 
ority; and, after having arrived at the Miami village and put your 
works in a defensible state, you will seek the enemy with the whole 
of your remaining force, and endaavor by all possible means to 
strike them with great severity. * * * * 

In order to avoid future wars, it might be proper to make the Wa- 
bash and thence over to the Maumee, and down the same to its 
mouth, at Lake Erie, the boundary between the people of the 
United States and the Indians (excepting so far as the same should 
relate to the Wyandots and Delawares), on the supposition of their 
continuing faithful to the treaties; but if they should join |in the 
war against the United States, and your army be victorious, the 
said tribes ought to be removed without the boundary mentioned.'* 

Previous to marching a strong force to the Miami town, Gov. St. 



78 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

Clair, June 25, 1791, authorized Gen Wilkinson to conduct a second 
expedition, not exceeding 500 mounted men, against the Indian 
villages on the Wabash. Accordingly Gen. Wilkinson mustered 
his forces and was ready July 20, to march with 525 mounted vol- 
unteers, well armed, and provided with 30 days' provisions, and 
with this force he reached the Ke-na-pa-com-a-qua village on the 
north bank of Eel river .tbout six miles above its mouth, Aug. 7, 
where he killed six warriors and took 34 prisoners. This town, 
which was scattered along the river for three miles, was totally de- 
stroyed. Wilkinson encamped on the ruins of the town that night, 
and the next day he commenced his march for the Kickapoo town 
on the prairie, which he was unable to reach owing to the impassa- 
ble condition of the route which he adopted and the failing condi- 
tion of his horses. He reported the estimated lesults of the expe- 
dition as follows: "I have destroyed the chief town of the Ouiate- 
non nation, and have made prisoners of the sons and sisters of the 
king. I have burned a respectable Kickapoo village, and cut down 
at least 400 acres of corn, chiefly in the milk.-'* 

EXPEDITIONS OF ST. CLAIK AND WAYNE. 

The Indians were greatly damaged by the expeditions of Harmar, 
Scott and Wilkinson, but were far from being subdued. They 
regarded the policy of the United States as calculated to extermi- 
nate them from the land; and, goaded on by the English of Detroit, 
enemies of the Americans, they were excited to desperation. At 
this time the British Government still supported garrisons at 
Niagara, Detroit and Michiiimackinac, although it was declared by 
the second article of the definitive treaty of peace of 1783, that 
the king of Great Britain would, " with all convenient speed, and 
without causing any destruction or carrying away any negroes or 
property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his forces, 
garrisons and fleets from the United States, and from every post, 
place and harbor within the same." That treaty also provided that 
the creditors on either side should meet with no lawful impedi- 
ments to the recovery of the full value, in sterling money of all 
hoTia fide debts previously contracted. The British Government 
claimed that the United States had broken faith in this particular 
understanding of the treaty, and in consequence refused to with- 
draw its forces from the territory. The British garrisons in the 
Lake Region were a source of much annoyance to the Americans, 
as they aflforded snccop ^o iiostile Indians, encouraging them to 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. *" 



make raids among the Americans. This state of affairs in the 
Territory Northwest of the Ohio continued from the commence- 
ment of the Kevolutionary war to 1796, when under a second 
treaty all British soldiers were withdrawn from the country. 

In September, 1791, St. Clair moved from Fort Washington 
with about 2,000 men, and November 3, the main army, consisting 
of about 1,400 effective troops, moved forward to the head- waters 
of the Wabash, where Fort Recovery was afterward erected, and 
here the army encamped. About 1,200 Indians were secreted a few 
miles distant, awaiting a favorable opportunity to begin an attack, 
which they improved on the morning of Nov. 4, about half an hour 
before sunrise. The attack was first made upon the militia, which 
immediately gave way. St. Glair was defeated and he returned to 
Fort Washington with a broken and dispirited army, having lost 
39 officers killed, and 539 men killed and missing; 22 officers and 
232 men were wounded. Several pieces of artillery, and all the 
baggage, ammunition and provisions were left on the field of bat- 
tle*" and fell into the hands of the victorious Indians. The stores 
and other public property lost in the action were valued at $32, 800 
There were also 100 or more American women with the army of 
the whites, very few of whom escaped the cruel carnage of the sav- 
age Indians. The latter, characteristic of their brutal nature, 
proceeded in the flush of victory to perpetrate the most horrible 
acts of crueltv and brutality upon the bodies of the living and the 
dead Americans who fell into their hands. Believing that the 
whites had made war for many years merely to acquire land, the 
Indians crammed clay and sand into the eyes and down the throats 
of the dying and the dead! 

GEN. Wayne's great viotoby. 

Although no particular blame was attached to Gov. St. Clair for 
the loss in this expedition, yet he resigned the office of Major-Gen- 
eral, and was succeeded by Anthony Wayne, a distinguished 
officer of the Revolutionary war. Early in 1792 provisions were 
made by the general Government for re-organizing the army, so 
that it should consist of an efficient degree of strength. Wayne 
arrived at Pittsburg in June, where the army was to rendezvous. 
Here he continued actively engaged in organizing and training hia 
forces until October, 1793, when with an army of about 3,600 men 
he moved westward to Fort Washington. 

While Wayne was preparing for an offensive campaign, every 



80 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

possible means was employed to induce the hostile tribes of the 
Northwest to enter into a general treaty of peace with the Ameri- 
can Government; speeches were sent among them, and agents to 
make treaties were also sent, but little was accomplished. Major 
Hamtramck, who still remained at Yincennes, succeeded in con- 
cluding a general peace with die Wabash and Illinois Indians; but 
the tribes more immediately under the influence of the British 
refused to hear the sentiments of friendship that were sent among 
them, and tomahawked several of the messengers. Their courage 
had been aroused by St. Cbir's defeat, as well as by the unsuccess- 
ful expeditions which had preceded it, and they now felt quite pre- 
pared to meet a superior force under Gen. Wayne. The Indians 
insisted on the Ohio river as the boundary line between their lands 
and the lands of the United States, and felt certain that they could 
maintain that boundary. 

Maj. Gen. Scott, with about 1,600 mounted volunteers from 
Kentucky, joined the regular troops under Gen. Wayne July 26, 
1794, and on the 28th the united forces began their march for the 
Indian towns on the Maumee river. Arriving at the mouth of 
the Auglaize, they erected Fort Defiance, and Aug. 15 the army 
advanced toward the British fort at the foot of the rapids of the 
Maumee, where, on the 20th, almost within reach of the British, 
the American array gained a decisive victory over the combined 
forces of the hostile Indians and a considerable number of the 
Detroit militiaw The number of the enemy was estimated at 2,000, 
against about 900 American troops actually engaged. This horde 
of savages, as soon as the action began, abandoned themselves to 
flight and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving Wayne's vic- 
torious army in full and quiet possession of the field. The Ameri- 
cans lost 33 killed and 100 wounded; loss of the enemy more than 
double this number. 

The army remained three days and nights on the banks of the 
Maumee, in front of the field of battle, during which time all the 
houses and cornfields were consumed and destroyed for a considera- 
ble distance both above and below Fort Miami, as well as within 
pistol shot of the British garrison, who were compelled to remain 
idle spectators to this general devastation and conflagration, among 
which were the houses, stores and property of Col. McKee, the 
British Indian agent and " principal stimulator of the war then 
existing between the United States and savages." On the return 
march to Fort Defiance the villages and cornfields for about 50 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 81 

miles on eacli side of the Maumee were destroyed, as well as those 
for a considerable distance ^ound that post. 

Sept, 14, 1794, the army under Gen. Wayne commenced its 
march toward the deserted Miami villages at the confluence of St. 
Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, arriving Oct. 17, and on the follow- 
ing day the site of Fort "Wayne was selected. The fort was com- 
pleted Nov. 22, and garrisoned by a strong detachment of infantry 
and artillery, under the command of Col. John F. Hamtramck, who 
gave to the new fort the name of Fort Wayne. In 1814 a new fort 
was built on the site of this structure. The Kentucky volunteers 
returned to Fort Washington and were mustered out of service. 
Gen. Wayne, with the Federal troops, marched to Greenville and 
took up his headquarters during the winter. Here, in August, 
1795, after several months of active negotiation, this gallant officer 
succeeded in concluding a general treaty of peace with all the hos- 
tile tribes of the Northwestern Territory. This treaty opened the 
•way for the flood of immigration for many years, and ultimately 
made the States and territories now constituting the mighty North- 
west. 

Up to the organization of the Indiana Territory there is but little 
history to record aside from those events connected with military 
affairs. In July, 1796, as before stated, after a treaty was con- 
cluded between the United States and Spain, the British garrisons, 
with their arms, artillery and stores, were withdrawn from the 
posts within the boundaries of the United States northwest of the 
Ohio river, and a detachment of American troops, consisting of 65 
men, under the command of Capt. Moses Porter, took possession 
of the evacuated post of Detroit in the same month. 

In the latter part of 1796 Winthrop Sargent went to Detroit and 
organized the county of Wayne, forming a part of the Indiana 
Territory until its division in 1805, when the Territory of Michigan 
was organized. 



TEKKITOKIAL HISTORY. 

ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA TKBBITOBY. 

On the final saccess of American arms and diplomacy in 1796, 
the principal town within the Territory, now the State, of Indiana 
was Vincennes, which at this time comprised about 50 houses, all 
presenting a thrifty and tidy appearance. Each house was sur- 
rounded by a garden fenced with poles, and peach and apple-trees 
grew in most of the enclosures. Garden vegetables of all kinds 
were cultivated with success, and corn, tobacco, wheat, barley and 
cotton grew in the fields around the village in abundance. During 
Jthe last few years of the 18th century the condition of society at 
Vincennes improved wonderfully. 

Besides Vincennes there was a small settlement near where the 
town of Lawrenceburg now stands, in Dearborn county, and in the 
course of that year a small settlement was formed at " Armstrong's 
Station," on the Ohio, within the present limits of Clark county. 
There were of course several other smaller settlements and trading 
posts in the present limits of Indiana, and the number of civilized 
inhabitants comprised within the territory was estimated at 4,875. 

The Territory of Indiana was organized by Act of Congress May 
7, 1800, the material parts of the ordinance of 1787 remaining in 
force; and the inhabitants were invested with all the rights, privi- 
leges and advantages granted and secured to the people by that 
ordinance. The seat of government was fixed at Vincennes. May 
13, 1800, Wra. Henry Harrison, a native of Virginia, was appoint- 
ed Governor of this new territory, and on the next day John Gib- 
son, a native of Pennsylvania and a distinguished Wes^-ern pioneer, 
(to whom the Indian chief Logan delivered his celebrated speech in 
1774), was appointed Secretary of tlie Territory. Soon afterward 
Wm. Clark, Ilcnry Vanderburgh and John Griffin were appointed 
territorial Judi^es. 

Secretary Gibson arrived at Vincennes in July, and commenced, 
in the absence of Gov. Harrison, the aduiini.stration of government. 
Gov. Harrison did not arrive until Jan. 10, 1801, when he imme- 
diately called together the Judges of the Territory, who proceeded 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 83 

to pass such laws as they deemed necessary for the present govern- 
ment of the Territory. This session began March 3, ISOl. 

From this time to 1810 the principal subjects which attracted the 
attention of the people of Indiana were land speculations, the 
adjustment of land titles, the question of negro slavery, the purchase 
of Indian lands by treaties, the organization of Territorial legis- 
latures, the extension of the right of suffrage, the division of 
Indiana Territory, the movements of Aaron Burr, and the hostile 
views and proceedings of the Shawanee chief, Tecumseh, and his 
brother, the Prophet. 

Up to this time the sixth article of the celebrated ordinance of 
1787, prohibiting slavery in the Northwestern Territory, had been 
somewhat neglected in the execution of the law, and many French 
settlers still held slaves in a manner. In some instances, according 
to 'rules prescribed by Territorial legislation, slaves agreed by 
indentures to remain in servitude under their masters for a certain 
number of years; but many slaves, with whom no such contracts 
were made, were removed from the Indiana Territory either to the 
west of the Mississippi or to some of the slaveholding States. 
Gov. Harrison convoked a session of delegates of the Territory, 
elected by a popular vote, who petitioned Congress to declare the 
sixth article of the ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery, suspend- 
ed; but Congress never consented to grant that petition, and many 
other petitions of a similar import. Soon afterward some of the 
citizens began to take colored persons out of the Territory for the 
purpose of selling them, and Gov. Harrison, by a proclamation 
April 6, 1804, forbade it, and called upon the authorities of the 
Territory to assist him in preventing such removal of persons 
of color. 

During the year 1804 all the country west of the Mississippi and 
north of 33° was attached to Indiana Territory by Congress, but in 
a few months was again detached and organized into a separate ter- 
ritory . 

When it appeared from the result of a popular vote in the Terri- 
tory that a majority of 138 freeliolders were in favor of organizing 
a General Assembly, Gov. Harrison, Sept. 11, 1804, issued a procla- 
mation declaring that the Territory had passed into the second grade 
of government, as contempL.ted by the ordinance of 1787, ari<] 
fixed Thursday, Jan. 3, 1805, as the time for holding an election in 
the several counties of the Territory,to choose members of a House 
of Representatives, who sliould meet at Vinceniies Feb. 1 and 



84 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

adopt measures for the organization of a Territorial Council. These 
delegates were elected, and met according to the proclamation, and 
selected ten men from whom the President of the United States, 
Mr. Jefferson, should appoint five to be and constitute the Legisla- 
tive Council of the Territory, but he declining, requested Mr. Har- 
rison to make the selection, which was accordingly done. Before 
the first session of this Council, however, was held, Michigan Ter- 
ritory was set off, its south line being one drawn from the southern 
end of Lake Michigan directly east to Lake Erie. 

FIBST TERBITOBIAL LEGISLATURE. 

The first General Assembly, or Legislature, of Indiana Territory 
met at Vincennes July 29, 1805, in pursuance of a gubernatoripj 
proclamation. The members of the House of Representatives were 
Jesse B. Thomas, of Dearborn county ; Davis Floyd, of Clark county ; 
Benjamin Parke and John Johnson, of Knox county; Shadrach 
Bond and William Biggs, of St. Clair county, and George Fisher, 
of Randolph county. July 30 the Governor delivered his first mes- 
sage to "the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of 
the Indiana Territory." Benjamin Parke was the first delegate 
elected to Congress. He had emigrated from New Jersey to In- 
diana in 1801. 

THE "western sun'* 

was the first newspaper published in the Indiana Territory, now 
comprising the four great States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and 
Wisconsin, and the second in all that country once known as the 
"Northwestern Territory." It was commenced at Vincennes in 
1803, by Elihu Stout, of Kentucky, and first called the Indiana 
Gazette, and July, 4, 1804, was changed to the Western Sun. Mr. 
Stout continued tte paper until 1845, amid many discouragements, 
when he was appointed postmaster at the place, and he sold out 
the ofiice. 

INDIANA IN 1810. 

The events which we have just been describing really constitute 
the initiatory steps to the great military campaign of Gen. Harrison 
which ended in the "battle of Tippecanoe;" but before proceeding 
to an account of that brilliant affair, let us take a glance at the re- 
sources and strength of Indiana Territory at this time, 1810: 

Total population, 24,520; 33 grist mills; 14 saw mills; 3 horse 
mills; 18 tanneries; 28 distilleries; 3 powder mills; 1,256 looms; 



IIISTOKY OF liJDIANA. °^ 



1350 spinning wheels; v^lue of manufactures-woolen, cotton 
hempen ana flaxen cloths, $1 59,052; of cotton and wool spun m 
mills $150,000; of nails, 30,000 pounds, $4,000; of leather tanned, 
$9 300 of distillery products, 35,950 gallons, $16,230; ot gun- 
powder, 3,600 pounds, $1,800; of wine from grapes, 96 barrels, 
$6 000, and 5 0,000 pounds of maple sugar. , ,- , . 

burin- the year 1810 a Board of Commissioners was established 
to straighten out the confused condition into which the land- title 
controversy had been carried by the various and conflicting admin- 
istrations that had previously exercised jurisdiction in this regard. 
This work was attended with much labor on the part of the Commis- 
sioners and great dissatisfaction on the part of a few designing specu- 
lators, who thought no extreme of perjury too hazardous in their 
mad attempts to obtain lands fraudulently. In closing their report 
the Commissioners used the following expressive language: _ We 
close this melancholy picture of human depravity by rendering our 
devout acknowledgment that, in the awful alternative m which we 
have been placed, of either admitting perjured testimony in sup- 
port of the claims before us, or having it turned against our char- 
acters and lives, it has as yet pleased that divine providence which 
rules over the affairs of men, to preserve us, both from legal mur- 
der and private assassination." 

The question of dividing the Territory of Indiana was agitatea 
from 1806 to 1809, when Congress erected the Territory of Illinois, 
to comprise all that part of Indiana Territory lying west of the 
Wabash river and a direct line drawn from that river and Post 
Vincennes due north to the territorial line between the United 
States and Canada. This occasioned some confusion in the govern- 
ment of Indiana, but in due time the new elections were confirmed 
and the new territory started off on a journey of prosperity which 
this section of the United States has ever since enjoyed 

From the first settlement of Vincennes for nearly half a century 
there occurred nothing of importance to relate at least so far as 
the records inform us. The place was too isolated to grow very 
fast, and we suppose there was a succession of priests and com- 
mandants, who governed the little world around them with almost 
infinite power and authority, from whose decisions there was no 
appeal, if indeed any was ever desired. The character of society 
in such a place would of course grow gradually different from the 
parent society, assimilating more or less with that of neighboring 
tribes. The whites lived in peace with the Indians, each under- 



86 HISTORY OF Ilrt)IANA. 

Standing the other's peculiarities, which remained fixed long 
enough for both parties to study out and understand them. The 
government was a mixture of the military and the civil. There 
was little to incite to enterprise. Speculations in money and prop- 
erty, and their counterpart, beggary, were both unknown; the nec- 
essaries of life were easily procured, and beyond these there were 
but few wants to bo supplied; hospitality was exercised by all, as 
there were no taverns; there seemed to be no use for law, judges 
or prisons; each district had its commandant, and the proceedings 
of a trial were singular. The complaining party obtained a notifi- 
cation from the commandant to his adversary, accompanied by a 
command to render justice. If this had no effect he was notified 
to appear before the commandant on a particular day and answer; 
and if the last notice was neglected, a sergeant and file of men 
were sent to bring hira, — no sheriff and no costs. The convicted 
party would be fined and kept in prison until he rendered justice 
according to the decree; when extremely refractory the cat-o'-nine- 
tails brought him to a sense of justice. In such a state of society 
there was no demand for learning and science. Few could read, 
and still fewer write. Their disposition was nearly always to deal 
honestly, at least simply. Peltries were their standard of value. 
A brotherly love generally prevailed. But they were devoid of 
public spirit, enterprise or ingenuity. 




GOV. HARRISON AND TRE INDIANS. 

Immediately after the organization of Indiana Territory Govornor 
Harrison's attention was directed, by necessity as well as by in- 
structions from Congress, to settling affairs with those Indiana who 
still held claims to lands. He entered into several treaties, l>y 
which at the close of 1805 the United States Government had ob- 
tained about 46,000 square miles of territory, including all the 
lands lying on the borders of the Ohio river between the mouth of 
the Wabash river and the State of Ohio. 

The levying of a tax, especially a poll tax, by the General Assem- 
bly, created considerable dissatisfaction among many of the inhabit- 
ants. At a meeting held Sunday, August 16, 1807, a number of 
Frenchmen resolved to " withdraw their confidence and support 
forever from those men who advocated or in any manner promoted 
the second grade of government." 

In 1807 the territorial statutes were revised and under the new 
code, treason, murder, arson and horse-stealing were each punish- 
able by death. The crime of manslaughter was punishable by the 
common law. Burglary and robbery were punishable by whip- 
ping, fine and in some cases by imprisonment not exceeding forty 
years. Hog stealing was punishable by fine and whipping. Bigamy 
was punishable by fine, whipping and disfranchisement, etc. 

In 1804 Congress established three land offices for the sale of 
lands in Indiana territory; one was located at Detroit, one at Vin- 
cennes and one at Kaskaskia. In 1807 a fourth one was opened at 
Jefifersonville, Clark county; this town was first laid out in 1802, 
agreeably to plans suggested by Mr. Jefferson then President of 
the United States. 

Governor Harrison, according to his message to the Legislature 
in 1806, seemed to think that the peace then existing between the 
whites and the Indians was permanent; but in the same document 
he referred to a matter that might be a source of trouble, which in- 
deed it proved to be, namely, the execution of white laws among 
the Indians — laws to which the latter had not been a party in their 
enactment. The trouble was aggravated by the partiality with 
which the laws seem always to have been executed; the Indian 

(87) 



88 HISTORY OF INJ)IA.NA. 

was nearly always the suiFerer. All along from 1805 to 1810 the 
Indians complaiDed bitterly against the encroachments of the white 
people npon the lands that belonged to them. The invasion of their 
hunting grounds and the unjustifiable killing of many of their peo- 
ple were the sources of their discontent. An old chief, in laying 
the trouble of his people before Governor Harrison, said : " You 
callus children; why do you not make us as happy as our fathers, 
the French, did? They never took from us our lands; indeed, they 
were common between us. They planted where they pleased, and 
they cut wood where they pleased; and so did we; but now if a 
poor Indian attempts to take a little bark from a tree to cover him 
from the rain, up comes a white man and threatens to shoot him, 
claiming the tree as his own." 

The Indian truly had grounds for his complaint, and the state of 
feeling existing among the tribes at this time was well calculated 
to develop a patriotic leader who should carry them all forward to 
victory at arms, if certain concessions were not made to them by the 
whites. But this golden opportunity was seized by an unworthy 
warrior. A brother of Tecumseh, a "prophet" named Law-le-was-i- 
kaw, but who assumed the name of Pems-qiiat-a-wah (Open Door), 
was the crafty Shawanee warrior who was enabled to work upon 
both the superstitions and the rational judgment of his fellow In- 
dians. He was a good orator, somewhat peculiar in his appearance 
and well calculated to win the attention and respect of the savages. 
He began by denouncing witchcraft, the use of intoxicating liquors, 
the custom of Indian women marrying white men, the dress of the 
whites and the practice of selling Indian lands to the United States. 
He also told the Indians that the commands of the Great Spirit re- 
quired them to punish with death those who practiced the arts of 
witchcraft and magic; that the Great Spirit had given him power 
to find out and expose such persons; that he had power to cure all 
diseases, to copfound his enemies and to stay the arm of death in 
sickness and on the battle-field. His harangues aroused among 
some bands of Indians a high degree of superstitious excitement. 
An old Delaware chief named Ta-te-bock-o-she, through whose in- 
fluence a treaty had been made with the Delawares in 1804, was 
accused of witchcraft, tried, condemned and tomahawked, and 
his body consumed by fire. The old chief's wife, nephew 
(" Billy Patterson ") and an aged Indian named Joshua were next 
accused of witchcraft and condemned to death. The two men were 
burned at the stake, but the wife of Ta-te-bock-o-she was saved from 




THE SHAWNEE PROPHET. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 91 

death by her brother, who suddenly approached her, took her by the 
hand, and, without meeting any opposition from the Indians present, 
led her out of the council- house. He then immediately returned and 
checked the growing influence of the Prophet by exclaiming in a 
strong, earnest voice, " The Evil Spirit has come among us and we 
are killing each other." — [^Dillon's History of Indiana. 

When Gov. Harrison was made acquainted with these events he 
sent a special messenger to the Indians, strongly entreating them to 
renounce the Prophet and his works. This really destroyed to some 
extent the Prophet's influence; but in the spring of 1808, having 
aroused nearly all the tribes of the Lake Region, the Prophet with 
a large number of followers settled near the mouth of the Tippe- 
canoe river, at a place which afterward had the name of "Prophet's- 
Town." Taking advantage of his brother's influence, Tecuraseh 
actively engaged himself in forming the various tribes into a con- 
federacy. He announced publicly to all the Indians that the 
treaties by which the United States had acquired lands northwest 
of the Ohio were not made in fairness, and should be considered 
void. He also said that no single tribe was invested with power to 
sell lands without the consent of all the other tribes, and that he 
and his brother, the Prophet, would oppose and resist all future 
attempts which the white people might make to extend their set- 
tlements in the lands that belonged to the Indians. 

Early in 1808, Gov. Harrison sent a speech to the Shawanees, 
in which was this sentence: " My children, this business must be 
stopped ; I will no longer suffer it. You have called a number of 
men from the most distant tribes to listen to a fool, who speaks 
not the words of the Great Spirit but those of the devil and the 
British agents. My children, your conduct has much alarmed the 
white settlers near you. They desire that you will send away those 
people; and if they wish to have the impostor with them they can 
carry him along with them. Let him go to the lakes; he can hear 
the British more distinctly." This message wounded the pride of 
the Prophet, and he prevailed on the messenger to inform Gov. 
Harrison that he was not in league with the British, but was speak- 
ing truly the words of the Great Spirit . 

In the latter part of the summer of 1808, the Prophet spent sev- 
eral weeks at Yincennes, for the purpose of holding interviews 
with Gov. Harrison. At one time he told the Governor that he 
was a Christian and endeavored to persuade his people also to 
become Christians, abandon the use of liquor, be united in broth- 



92 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

eriy love, etc., making Mr. Harrison believe at least, that he was 
honest; but before long it was demonstrated that the "Prophet" 
was designing, cunning and unreliable; that both he and Tecumseh 
were enemies of the United States, and friends of the English; and 
that in case of a war between the Americans and English, they 
would join the latter. Tlie next year the Prophet again visited 
Vincennes, with assurances that he was not in sympathy with the 
English, but the Governor was not disposed to believe him; and in 
a letter to the Secretary of War, in July, 1809, he said that he 
regarded the bands of Indians at Prophet's Town as a combination 
which had been produced by British intrigue and influence, in antic- 
ipation of a war between them and the United States. 

In direct opposition to Tecumseh and the prophet and in spite 
of all these difficulties, Gov. Harrison continued the work of extin- 
guishing Indian titles to lands, with very good success. By the 
close of 1809, the total amount of land ceded to the United States, 
under treaties which had been effected by Mr. Harrison, exceeded 
30,000,000 a.-res. 

From 1805 to 1807, the movements of Aaron Burr in the Ohio 
valley created considerable excitement in Indiana. It seemed that 
he intended to collect a force of men, invade Mexico and found a 
republic there, comprising all the country west of the Alleghany 
mountains. He gathered, however, but a few men, started south, 
and was soon arrested by the Federal authorities. But before his 
arrest he had abandoned his expedition and his followers had 
dispersed. 

Harrison's campaign. 

While the Indians were combining to prevent any further trans- 
fer of land to the whites, the British were using the advantage as a 
groundwork for a successful war upon the Americans. In the 
spring of 1810 the followers of the Prophet refused to receive their 
annuity of salt, and the officials who offered it were denounced as 
"American dogs," and otherwise treated in a disrespectful manner. 
Gov. Harrison, in July, attempted to gain the friendship of the 
Prophet by sending him a letter,offering to treat with him person- 
ally in the matter of his grievances, or to furnish means to send 
him, with three of his principal chiefs, to the President at Wash- 
ington; but the messenger was coldly received, and they returned 
word that they would visit Yincennes in a few days and interview 
the Governor. Accordingly, Aug. 12, 1810, the Shawanee chief 
with 70 of his principal warriors, marched up to the door of the 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



93 



Governor's house, and from that day until the 22d held daily inter- 
views with His Excellency. In all of his speeches Tecumseh was 
haughty, and sometimes arrogant. On the 20th he delivered that 
celebrated speech in which he gave the Governor the alternative of 
returning their lands or meeting them in battle. 

"While the Governor was replying to this speech Tecumseh' inter- 
rupted him with an angry exclamation, declaring that the United 
States, through Gov. Harrison, had "cheated and imposed on the 
Indians." When Tecumseh first rose, a number of his party also 
sprung to their feet, armed with clubs, tomahawks and spears, and 
made some threatening demonstrations. The Governor's guards, 
who stood a little way off, were marched up in haste, and the In- 
dians, awed by the presence of this small armed force, abandoned 
what seemed to be an intention to make an open attack on the Gov- 
ernor and his attendants. As soon as Tecumseh's remarks were 
interpreted, the Governor reproached him for his conduct, and com- 
manded him to depart instantly to his camp. 

On the following day Tecumseh repented of his rash act and re- 
quested the Governor to grant him another interview, and pro- 
tested against any intention of offense. The Governor consented, 
and the council was rc'opened on the 2l8t, when the Shawanec 
chief addressed him in a respectful and dignified manner, but ret 
mained immovable in his policy. The Governor then requested 
Tecumseh to state plainly whether or not the surveyors who might 
be sent to survey the lands purchased at the treaty of Fort Wayne 
in 1809, would be molested by Indians. Tecumseh replied; 
"Brother, when you speak of annuities to me, I look at the land 
and pity the women and children. I am authorized to say that they 
will not receive them. Brother, we want to save that piece of land. 
We do not wish you to take it. It is small enough for our purpose. 
K you do take it, you must blame yourself as the cause of the 
trouble between us and the tribes who sold it to you. I want the 
present boundary line to continue. Should you cross it, I assure 
you it will be productive of bad consequences." 

The next day the Governor, attended only by his interpreter, 
visited the camp of the great Shawanee, and in the course of a long 
interview told him that the President of the United States would 
not acknowledge his claims. "Well," replied the brave warrior, 
"as the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great 
Spirit will put sense enough into his head to induce him to direct 
you to give up this land. It is true, he is so far off he will not be 



;^4 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

injured by the war. He may sit still in his town and drink his 
wine, while you and I will have to fight it out." 

In his message to the new territorial Legislature in 1810 Gov. 
Harrison called attention to the dangerous views held by Tecumseh 
and the Prophet, to the pernicious influence of alien enemies 
among the Indians, to the unsettled condition of the Indian trade 
and to the policy of extinguishing Indian titles to lands. The 
eastern settlements were separated from the western by a consider- 
able extent of Indian lands, and the most fertile tracts within the 
territory were still in the hands of the Indians. Almost entirely 
divested of the game from which they had drawn their subsistence, 
it had become of little use to them; and it was the intention of 
the Government to substitute for the precarious and scanty sup- 
plies of the chase the more certain and plentiful support of agri- 
culture and stock-raising. The old habit of the Indians to hunt 
80 long as a deer could be found was so inveterate that they would 
not break it and resort to intelligent agriculture unless they were 
compelled to, and to this they would not be compelled unless they 
were confined to a limited extent of territory. The earnest lan- 
guage of the Governor's appeal was like this: "Are then those 
extinguishments of native title which are at once so beneficial to 
the Indian and the territory of the United States, to be suspended on 
account of the intrigues of a few individuals? Is one of the fair- 
est portions of the globe to remain in a state of nature, the haunt 
of a few wretched savages, when it seems destined by the Creator 
to give support to a large population, and to be the seat of civili- 
zation, of science and true religion?" 

In the same message the Governor also urged the establishment 
of a system of popular education. 

Among the acts passed by this session of the Legislature, one 
authorized the President and Directors of the Vincennes Public 
Library to raise $1,000 by lottery. Also, a petition was sent to 
Congress for a permanent seat of government for the Territory, and 
commissioners were appointed to select the site. 

With the beginning of the year 1811 the British agent for 
Indian affairs adopted measures calculated to secure the support of 
the savages in the war which at this time seemed almost inevitable. 
Meanwhile Gov. Harrison did all in his power to destroy the influ- 
ence of Tecumseh and his brother and break up the Indian confed- 
eracy which was oeing organized in the interests of Great Britain. 
Pioneer settlers and the Indians naturally grew more and more 



HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 



95 



aggressive and intolerant, committing depredations and murders, 
until the Governor felt compelled to send the following speech, 
substantially, to the two leaders of the Indian tribes: "This is the 
third year that all the white people in this country have been 
alarmed at your proceedings; you threaten us with war; you invite 
all the tribes north and west of you to join against us, while your 
warriors who have lately been here deny this. The tribes on the 
Mississippi have sent me word that you intended to murder me 
and then commence a war upon my people, and your seizing the salt 
I recently sent up the "Wabash is also sufficient evidence of such 
intentions on your part. My warriors are preparing themselves, 
not to strike you, but to defend themselves and their women and 
children. You shall not surprise us, as you expect to do. Your 
intended act is a rash one: consider well of it. What can induce 
you to undertake such a thing when there is so little prospect of 
success? Do you really think that the handful of men you have 
about you are able to contend with the seventeen 'fires?' or even 
that the whole of the tribes united could contend against the Ken- 
tucky 'fire' alone? I am myself of the Long 'Knife fire.' As soon 
as they hear my voice you will see them pouring forth their swarms 
of hunting-shirt men as numerous as the musquitoes on the shores 
of the Wabash. Take care of their stings. It is not our wish to 
hurt you; if we did, we certainly have power to do it. 

" You have also insulted the Government of the United States, 
by seizing the salt that was intended for other tribes. Satisfaction 
must be given for that also. You talk of coming to see me, attend- 
ed by all of your young men; but this must not be. If your inten- 
tions are good, you have no need to bring but a few of your young 
men with you. I must be plain with you. I will not suffer you 
to come into our settlements with such a force. My advice is that 
you visit the President of the United States and lay your griev- 
ances before him. 

" With respect to the lands that were purchased last fall I can 
enter into no negotiations with you; the affair is with the Presi- 
dent. If you wish to go and see him, I will supply you with the 
means. 

"The person who delivers this is one of my war officers, and is a 
man in whom I have entire confidence; whatever he says to you, 
although it may not be contained in this paper, you may believe 
comes ""from me. My friend Tecumseh, the bearer is a good man 
and a brave warrior; I hope you will treat him well. You are 



96 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

yourself a warrior, and all such should have esteem for each other." 

The bearer of this speech was politely received by Tecumseh, 
who replied to the Governor briefly that he should visit Vincennes 
in a few days. Accordingly he arrived July 27, 1811, bringing 
with him a considerable force of Indians, which created much 
alarm among the inhabitants. In view of an emergency Gov. 
Harrison reviewed his militia — about 750 armed men — and station- 
ed two companies and a detachment of dragoons on the borders of 
the town. At this interview Tecumseh held forth that he intended 
no war against the United States; that he would send messengers 
among the Indians to prevent murders and depredations on the 
white settlements; that the Indians, as well as the whites, who had 
committed murders, ought to be forgiven; that he had set the white 
people an example of forgiveness, which they ought to follow; 
that it was his wish to establish a union among all the Indian 
tribes; that the northern tribes were united; that he was going to 
visit the southern Indians, and then return to the Prophet's town. 
He said also that he would visit the President the next spring and 
settle all difficulties with him, and that he hoped no attempts would 
be made to make settlements on the lands which had been sold to 
the United States, at the treaty of Fort Wayne, because the Indians 
wanted to keep those grounds for hunting. 

Tecumseh then, with about 20 of his followers, left for the South, 
to induce the tribes in that direction to join his confederacy. 

By the way, a lawsuit was instituted by Gov. Harrison against a 
certain Wm. Mcintosh, for asserting that the plaintiff had cheated 
the Indians out of -their lands, and that by so doing he had made 
them enemies to the United States. The defendant was a wealthy 
Scotch resident of Yincenues, well educated, and a man of influence 
among the people opposed to Gov, Harrison's land policy. The 
jury rendered a verdict in favor of Harrison, assessing the damages 
at $4,000. In execution of the decree of Court a large quantity of 
the defendant's land was sold in the absence of Gov. Harrison; 
but some time afterward Harrison caused about two-thirds of the 
land to be restored to Mr. Mcintosh, and the remainder was given 
to some orphan children. 

Harrison's first movement was to erect a new fort on the "Wabash 
river and to break up the assemblage of hostile Indians at the 
Prophet's town. For this purpose he ordered Col. Boyd's regiment 
of infantry to move from the falls of Ohio to Vincennes. When 
the military expedition organized by Gov, Harrison was nearly 



HI8T0BY OF INDIANA. ®7 



ready to march to the Prophet's town,severai Indian chiefs arrived 
at Yincennes Sept. 25, 1811, and declared that the Indians 
would comply with the demands of the Governor and disperse; but 
this did not check the military proceedings. The army under com- 
mand of Harrison moved from Yincennes Sept. 26, and Oct. 3, en- 
countering no opposition from the enemy, encamped at the place 
where Fort Harrison was afterward built, and near where the city 
of Terre Haute now etands. On the night of the 11th a few hos- 
tile Indians approached the encampment and wounded one of the 
sentinels, which caused considerable excitement. The army was 
immediately drawn up in line of battle, and small detachments 
were sent in all directions; but the enemy could not be found. 
Then the Governor sent a message to Prophet's Town, requiring 
the Shawanees, Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos at 
that place to return to their respective tribes; he also required the 
Prophet to restore all the stolen horses in his possession, or to give 
satisfactory proof that such persons were not there, nor had lately 
been, under his control. To this message the Governor received 
no answer, unless- that answer was delivered in the battle of Tip- 
pecanoe. 

The new fort on the ^basb was finished Oct. 28, and at the re- 
quest of all the subordinate officers it was called "Fort Harrison," 
near what is now Terre Haute. This fort was garrisoned with a 
small number of men under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller. On the 
29th the remainder of the army, consisting of 910 men, moved 
toward the Prophet's town; about 270 of the troops were mounted. 
The regular troops, 250 in number, were under the command of 
Col. Boyd. With this army the Governor marched to within a 
half mile of the Prophet's town, when a conference was opened 
with a distinguished chief, in high esteem with the Prophet, and 
he informed Harrison that the Indians were much surprised at the 
approach of the army, and had already dispatched a message to 
him by another route. Harrison replied that he would not attack 
them until he had satisfied himself that they would not comply 
with his demands; that he would continue his encampment on the 
Wabash, and on the following morning would have an interview 
with the prophet. Harrison then resumed his march, and, after 
some difficulty, selected a place to encamp— a spot not very desir- 
able. It was a piece of dry oak land rising about ten feet above 
the marshy prairie in front toward the Indian town, and nearly 
twice that height above a similar prairie in the rear, through which 



^8 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

and near this bank ran a small stream clothed with willow and 
brush wood. Toward the left flank this highland widened consid- 
erably, but became gradually narrower in the opposite direction, 
and at the distance of 150 yards terminated in an abrupt point. 
The two columns of infantry occupied the front and rear of this 
ground, about 150 yards from each other on the left, and a little 
more than half that distance on the right, flank. One flank was 
filled by two companies of mounted riflemen, 120 men, under com- 
mand of Major-General Wells, of the Kentucky militia, and one 
by Spencer's company of mounted riflemen, numbering 80 men. 
The front line was composed of one battalion of United States in- 
fantry, under command of Major Floyd, flanked on the right by 
two companies of militia, and on the left by one company. The 
rear line was composed of a battalion of United States troops, 
under command of Capt.Bean, acting as Major, and four companies 
of militia infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Decker. The regular 
troops of this line joined the mounted riflemen under Gen. "Wells, 
on the left flank, and Col. Decker's battalion formed an angle with 
Spencer's company on the left. Two troops of dragoons, about 60 
men in all, were encamped in the rear of the left flank, and Capt. 
Parke's troop, which was larger than the other two, in rear of 
the right line. For a night attack the order of encampment was 
the order of battle, and each man slept opposite his post in the 
line. In the formation of the troops single file was adopted, in 
order to get as great an extension of the lines as possible. 

BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. 

Kg attack was made by the enemy until about 4 o'clock on the 
morning of Nov. 7, just after the Governor had arisen. The 
attack was made on the left flank. Only a single gun was tired by the 
sentinels or by the guard in that direction, which made no resist- 
ance, abandoning their posts and fleeing into camp; and the first 
notice which the troops of that line had of the danger was the yell 
of the savages within a short distance of them. But the men 
were courageous and preserved good discipline. Such of thfem as 
were awake, or easily awakened, seized arms and took their stations; 
others, who were more tardy, had to contend with the enemy in 
the doors of their tents. The storm first fell upon Capt. Barton's 
company of the Fourth United States Kegiraent, and Capt. Geiger's 
company of mounted riflemen, which formed the left angle of the 
rear line. The fire from the Indians was exceedingly severe, and 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



99 



men in these companies suffered considerably before relief could be 
brought to them. Some few Indians passed into the encampment 
near the angle, and one or two penetrated to some distance before 
they were killed. All the companies formed for action before they 
were fired on.- The morning was dark and cloudy, and the fires of 
the Americans afforded only a partial light, which gave greater 
advantage to the enemy than to the troops, and they were there- 
fore extinguished. 

As soon as the Governor could mount his horse he rode to the 
angle which was attacked, where he found that Barton's company had 
suffered severely, and the left of Geiger's entirely broken. He 
immediately ordered Cook's and Wentworth's companies to march 
up to the center of the rear line, where were stationed a small com- 
pany of U. S. riflemen and the companies of Bean, Snelling and 
Prescott. As the General rode up he found Maj. Daviess forming 
the dragoons in the rear of these companies, and having ascertained 
that the heaviest fire proceeded from some trees 15 or 20 paces in 
front of these companies, he directed the Major to dislodge them 
with a part of the dragoons; but unfortunately the "Major's gal- 
lantry caused him to undertake the execution of the order with a 
smaller force than was required, which enabled the enemy to avoid 
him in front and attack his flanks. He was mortally wounded and 
his men driven back. Capt. Snelling, however, with his company 
immediately dislodged those Indians. Capt. Spencer and his Ist 
and 2nd Lieutenants were killed, and Capt. Warwick mortally 
wounded. The soldiery remained brave. Spencer had too much 
ground originally, and Harrison re-enforced him with a company 
of riflemen which had been driven from their position on the left 
flank. 

Gen. Harrison's aim was to keep the lines entire, to prevent the 
enemy from breaking into the camp until daylight, which would 
enable him to make a general and effectual charge. With this view 
he had re-enforced every part of the line that had suffered much, 
and with the approach of morning he withdrew several companies 
from the front and rear lines and re-enforced the right and left 
flanks, foreseeing that at these points the enemy would make their 
last eifort. Maj. Wells, who had commanded the left flank, charged 
upon the enemy and drove them at the point of the bayonet into 
the mars}i, where they could not be followed. Meanwhile Capt. 
Cook and Lieut. Larrabee marched their companies to the right 
flank and formed under lire of the enemy, and being there joiiKsi 



100 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

by the riflemen of that flank, charged upon the enemy, killing a 
number and putting the rest to a precipitate flight. 

Thus ended the famous battle of Tippecanoe, victoriously to the 
whites and honorably to Gen. Harrison. 

In this battle Mr. Harrison had about 700 eflScientmen, while 
the Indians had probably more than that. The loss of the Ameri- 
cans was 37 killed and 25 mortally wounded, and ■ 2G wounded ; the 
Indians lost 38 killed on the field of battle, and the number of the 
wounded was never known. Among the white, killed were Daviess, 
Spencer, Owen, Warwick, Randolph, Bean and White. Standing on 
an eminence near by, the Prophet encouraged his warriors to battle 
by singing a favorite war-song. He told them that they would gain 
an easy victory, and that the bullets of their enemies would be raadt; 
harmless by the Great Spirit. Being informed duringthe engagement 
that some of the Indians were killed, he said that his warriors must 
fight on and they would soon be victorious. Immediately after 
their defeat the surviving Indians lost faith in their great (?) Proph- 
et, returned to their respective tribes, and thus the confederacy 
was destroyed. The Prophet, with a very few followers, then took 
up his residence among a small band of Wyandots encamped on 
Wild-Cat creek. His famous town, with all its possessions, was 
destroyed the next day, Nov. 8. 

On the 18th the American army returned to Yincennes, where 
most of the troops were discharged. The Territorial Legislature, 
being in session, adopted resolutions complimentary to Gov. Harri- 
son and the officers and men under him, and made preparations for 
a reception and celebration. 

Capt. Logan, the eloquent Shawanee chief who assisted our 
forces so materially, died in the latter part of November, 1812, 
from the effects of a wound received in a skirmish with a recon- 
noitering party of hostile Indians accompanied by a white man in 
the British service, Nov. 22. In that skirmish the white man was 
killed, and Winamac, a Pottawatomie chief of some distinction, 
fell by the rifle of Logan. The latter was mortally wounded, when 
he retreated with two warriors of his tribe, Capt. Johnny and 
Bright- Horn, to the camp of Gen. Winchester, where he soon after- 
ward died. He was buried with the honors of war. 



WAR OF 1812 WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 

The victory recently gained by the Americans at the battle of 
Tippecanoe insured perfect peace for a time, bat only a short time 
as the more extensive schemes of the British had so far ripened as 
to compel the United States again to declare war against them. 
Tecumseh had fled to Maiden, Canada, where, counseled by the 
English, he continued to excite the tribes against the Americans. 
As soon as this war with Great Britain was declared (June 18, 
1812), the Indians, as was expected, commenced again to commit 
depredations. During the summer of 1812 several points along 
the Lake Region succumbed to theBritish, as Detroit, under Gen. 
Hull, Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), commanded by Capt. Heald 
under Gen. Hull, the post at Mackinac, etc. 

In the early part of September, 1812, parties of hostile Indians 
began to assemble in considerable numbers in the vicinity of Forts 
Wayne and Harrison, with a view to reducing them. Capt. Rhea, 
at this time, had command of Fort Wayne, but his drinking pro- 
pensities rather disqualified him for emergencies. For two weeks 
the fort was in great jeopardy. An express had been sent to Gen. 
Harrison for reinforcements, but many days passed without any 
tidings of expected assistance. At length, one day, Maj. Wm. 
Oliver and four friendly Indians arrived at the fort on horseback. 
One of the Indians was the celebrated Logan. They had come in 
defiance of "500 Indians," had ^'broken their ranks" and reached 
the fort in safety. Oliver reported that Harrison was aware of the 
situation and was raising men for a re-enforcement. Ohio was also 
raising volunteers; 800 were then assembled at St. Mary's, Ohio, 
60 mites south of Fort Wayne, and would march to the relief of 
the fort in three or four days, or as soon as they were joined by re- 
enforcements from Kentucky. 

Oliver prepared a letter, announcing to Gen. Harrison his safe ar- 
rival at the besieged fort, and giving an account of its beleaguered 
situation, which he dispatched by his friendly Shawanees, while he 
concluded to take his chances at the fort. Brave Logan and his 
companions started with tlie message, but had scarcely left the fort 
when they were discovered and pursued by the hostile Indians, yet 
passing the Indian lines in safety, they were soon out of reach. 
The Indians now began a furious attack upon the fort; but the little 
garrison, with Oliver to cheer them on, bravely met the assault, re- 
pelling the attack day after day, until the army approached to their 
relief. During this siege the commanding ofiicer, whose habits of 



102 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

intemperance rendered him unfit for the command, was confined in 
the "black hole," while the junior officer assumed charge. This 
course was approved by the General, on his arrival, but Capt. Khea 
received very little censuie, probably on account of his valuable ser- 
vices in the Revolutionary war. 

Sept. 6, 1812, Harrison moved forward with his army to the re- 
lief of Fort Wayne; the next day he reached a point within three 
miles of St. Mary's river; the next day he reached the river and 
tvas joined at evening by 200 mounted volunteers, under Col. Rich- 
ard M. Johnson; the next day at "Shane's Crossing" on the St. 
Mary's they were joined by 800 men from Ohio, under Cols. Adams 
and Hawkir.B. At this place Chief Logan and four other Indians 
ofiered their services as spies to Gen. Harrison, and were accepted. 
Logan was immediately disguised and sent forward. Passing 
through the lines of the hostile Indians,he ascertained their number 
to be about 1,500, and entering the fort, he encouraged the solaiers 
to hold out, as relief was at hand. Gen. Harrison's force at this 
time was about 3,500. 

After an early breakfast Friday morning they were under march- 
ing orders; it had rained and the guns were damp; theywere dis- 
charged and reloaded; but that day only one Indian was encount- 
ererl; preparations were made at night for an expected attack by 
the Indians, but no attack came; the next day, Sept. 10, they ex- 
pected to fight their way to Fort "Wayne, but in that they were hap- 
pily disappointed; and "At the first grey of the morning," as Bryce 
eloquently observes, "the distant halloos of the disappointed sav- 
ages revealed to the anxious inmates of the fort the glorious news 
of the approach of the army. Great clouds of dust could be seen 
from the fort, rolling up in the distance, as the valiant soldiery 
under Gen. Harrison moved forward to the rescue of the garrison 
and the brave boys of Kentucky and Ohio." 

This siege of Fort Wayne of course occasioned great loss to the 
few settlers who had gathered around the fort. At the time of its 
commencement quite a little village had clustered around the mili- 
tary works, but during the siege most of their improvements and 
crops were destroyed by the savages. Every building out of the reach 
of the guns of the fort was leveled to the ground, and thus the in- 
fant settlement was destroyed. 

During this siege the garrison lost but three men, while tlie 
Indians lost 25. Gen. Harrison had all the Indian villages for 25 
miles around destroyed. Fort Wayne was nothing but a military 
post until about 1819. 



-I no 
HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



Simaltaneously with the attack on Fort Wayne the Indians ak" 
besieged Fort Harrison, which was commanded by Zachary Taylor^ 
The Indians commenced firing upon the fort about 11 o'clock one 
nieht when the garrison was in a rather poor plight for receiving 
them The enemy succeeded in firing one of the block-houses, 
iTh contained whisky, and the whi^tes "ad^-^' ^ f-^^ f ^ P^:^ 
venting the burning of all the barracks. The word "fire seemed 
;;::! thrown all 'the men into confusion; -Idiors' and citizens 

wives, who had taken shelter within the f'>'\'''"'l'''^'lf';Z^Z 
were ;elUng-, many of the garrison were sick and «-"; '» ^e °n 
duty: the men despaired and gave themselves up as lost, two of 
L'sUgest and apparently most reliable men jumped *e p.ckete 
in the very midst of the emergency, etc., so that Capt. Taylor wa« 
at his wit's end what to do; hut he gave directions as to the many 
deta^^s raUied the men by a new scheme, and after about sevea 
hf: ucceeded in saving themselves. The Indians d-ve up «« 
horses belonging to the citizens, and as they could not catch th«m 
V ; eadUvf sh!t the whole of them in the sight o their o^e«, 
and also killed a number of the hogs belonging to *« -h'^^ 
They drove off all of the cattle, 65 in number, as well as the public 



oxen. 



Among many other depredations committed by the savages dar- 
ing this period: was the massacre of the Pigeon Roost settlement, 
consisting of one man, five women and 16 children; a ew -»P«d^ 
An unsuccessful effort was made to <«?'"'«, *'=»l.^f^°;i^"* 
when the news of this massacre and the attack on Fort Harrison 
reached Yincennes, about 1,200 men, under t^«/77"f »^f ^■ 
Wm. Russell, of the 7th U. S. Infantry, marched forth for the re- 
lief of the fort and to punish the Indians. On ■•^achmg the fort 
the Indians had retired from the vicinity; but on the 15tl'«f Sep- 
tember a small detachment composed of 11 ^en, under Lieut. Rch- 
ardson, and acting as escort of provisions sent f™m Yincennes to 
Fort Harrison, was attacked by a party of Indians within the pr^- 
ent limits of Sullivan county. It was reported that ^-e° <.f 'h^^ 
men were killed and one wounded. The provisions of course feU 
into the hands of the Indians. 

EXPEDITI0K8 AGAINST THE INDIANS. 

By the middle of August, through the d-S-^^f"! '"'^"'^^'^^^^ 
Gen Hull, at Detroit, and the evacuation of Fort Dearborn and 
ma sacre o'f its garrison, the British and Indians were - P---» 
of the whole Northwest. The savages, emboldened by their 6U0- 



104 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

cesses, penetrated deeper into the settlements, committing great 
depredations. The activity and success of the enemy aroused the 
people to a realization of the great danger their homes and families 
were in. Gov. Edwards collected a force of 350 men at Camp 
Russell, and Capt. Russell came from Vincennes with about 50 more. 
Being officered and equipped, they proceeded about the middle of 
October on horseback, carrying with them 20 day's rations, to 
Peoria. Capt. Craig was sent with two boats up the Illinois, with 
provisions and tools to build a fort. The little army proceeded to 
Peoria Lake, where was located a Pottawatomie village. They 
arrived late at night, within a few miles of the village, without 
their presence being known to the Indians. Four men were sent 
out that night to reconnoiter the position of the village. The four 
brave men who volunteered for this perilous service were Thomas 
Carlin (afterward Governor), and Robert, Stephen and Davis "White- 
side. They proceeded to the village, and explored it and the ap- 
proaches to it thoroughly, without starting an Indian or provoking 
the bark of a dog. The low lands between the Indian village and 
the troops were covered with a rank growth of tall grass, so high 
and dense as to readily conceal an Indian on horseback, until within 
a few feet of him. The ground had become still more yielding by 
recent rains, rendering it almost impassable by mounted men. To 
prevent detection the soldiers had camped without lighting the 
usual camp-fires. The men lay down in their cold and cheerless 
camp, with many misgivings. They well remembered liow the 
skulking savages fell upon Harrison's men at Tippecanoe during 
the night. To add to their fears, a gun in the hands of a soldier 
was carelessly discharged, raising great consternation in the camp. 
Through a dense fog which prevailed the following morning, the 
army took up its line of march for the Indian town, Capt. Judy 
with his corps of spies in advance. In the tall grass they came up 
with an Indian and his squaw, both mounted. The Indian wanted 
to surrender, but Judy observed that he " did not leave home to take 
prisoners," and instantly shot one of them. With the blood 
streaming from his mouth and nose, and in his agony " singing the 
death song," the dying Indian raised his gun, shot and mortally 
wounded a Mr. "Wright, and in a few minutes expired! Many guns 
were immediately discharged at the other Indian, not then known 
to be a squaw, all of which missed her. Badly scared, and her hus- 
band killed by her side, the agonizing wails of the squaw were 
heart-rending. She was taken prisoner, and afterward restored 
to her nation. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 105 

On nearing the town a general charge was made, the Indians 
fleeing to the interior wilderness. Some of their warriors made a 
stand, when a sharp engagement occurred, but the Indians were 
routed. In their ilight they left behind all their winter's store of 
provisions, which was taken, and their town burned. Some Indian 
children were found who had been left in the hurried flight, also 
some disabled adults, one of whom was in a starving condition, and 
with a voracious appetite partook of the bread given him. He is 
said to have been killed by a cowardly trooper straggling behind, 
after the main army had resumed its retrograde march, who wanted 
to be able to boast that he had killed an Indian. 

September 19, 1812, Gen. Harrison was put in command of the 
Northwestern army, then estimated at 10,000 men, with these 
orders: "Having provided for the protection of the western front- 
ier, you will retake Detroit; and, with a view to the conquest of 
upper Canada, you will penetrate that country as far as the force 
under your command will in your judgment justify." 

Although surrounded by many difficulties, the General began 
immediately to execute these instructions. In calling for volun- 
teers from Kentucky, however, more men ofiered than could be 
received. At this time there were about 2,000 mounted volunteers 
at Vincennes, under the command of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, of the 
Revolutionary war, who was under instructions to operate against 
the enemy along the Wabash and Illinois rivers. Accordingly, 
early in October, Gen. Hopkins moved from Vincennes towards the 
Kickapoo villages in the Illinois territory, with about 2,000 troops; 
but after four or five days' march the men and officers raised a 
mutiny which gradually succeeded in carrying all back to Vin- 
cennes. The cause of their discontent is not apparent. 

About the same time Col. Russell, with two small companies of 
U. S. rangers, commanded by Capts. Perry and Modrell, marched 
from the neighborhood of Vincennes to unite with a small force of 
mounted militia under the command of Gov. Edwards, of Illinois, 
and afterward to march with the united troops from Cahokia 
toward Lake Peoria, for the purpose of co-operating with Gen. 
Hopkins against the Indian towns in that vicinity; but not find- 
ing the latter on the ground, was compelled to retire. 

Immediately after the discharge of the mutinous volunteers, 
Gen. Hopkins began to organize another tbrce, mainly of infantry, 
to reduce the Indians up the Wabash as far as the Prophet's town. 
These troops consisted of three regiments of Kentucky militia. 



106 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

commanded by Cols. Barbour, Miller and "Wilcox; a small company 
of regulars commanded by Capt. Zachary Taylor; a company of 
rangers commanded by Capt. Beckes; and a company of scouts or 
«pie8 under the command of Capt. "Washburn. The main body of 
this army arrived at Fort Harrison Kov. 5; on the 11th it pro- 
ceeded up the east side of the "Wabash into the heart of the Indian 
country, but found the villages generally deserted. "Winter set- 
ting in severely, and the troops poorly clad, they had to return to 
Yincennes as rapidly as possible. "With one exception the men 
behaved nobly, and did much damage to the enemy. That 
exception was the precipitate chase after an Indian by a detach- 
ment of men somewhat in liquor, until they found themselves sur- 
rounded by an overwhelming force of the enemy, and they had to 
retreat in disorder. 

At the close of this campaign Gen. Hopkins resigned his 
command. 

In the fall of 1812 Gen. Harrison assigned to Lieut. Col. John 
B. Campbell, of the 19th U. S. Inf., the duty of destroying the 
Miami villages on the Mississinewa river, with a detachment of 
about 600 men. Nov. 25, Lieut. Col. Campbell marched from 
Franklinton, according to orders, toward the scene of action, cau- 
tiously avoiding falling in with the Delawares, who had been ordered 
by Gen. Harrison to retire to the Shawanee establishment on the 
Auglaize river, and arriving on the Mississinewa Dec. 17, when 
they discovered an Indian town inhabited by Delawares and 
Miamis This .and three other villages were destroyed. Soon 
after this, the supplies growing short and the troops in a suffering 
condition, Campbell began' to consider the propriety of returning 
to Ohio; but just as he was calling together his officers early one 
tnorning to deliberate on the proposition, an army of Indians 
rushed upon them with fury. The engagement lasted an hour, 
with a loss of eight killed and 42 wounded, besides about 150 horses 
killed. The whites, however, succeeded in defending themselves 
end taking a number of Indians prisoners, who proved to be Mun- 
«ies, of Silver Heel's band. Campbell, hearing that a large force 
of Indians were assembled at Mississinewa village, under Tecum- 
8eh, determined to return to Greenville. The privations of his 
troops and the severity of the cold compelled him to . send to that 
place for re-enforcements and supplies. Seventeen of the men had 
to be carried on litters. They were met by the re-enforcement 
about 40 miles from Greenville. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 107 

Lieut. Col. Campbell sent two messages to the Delawares, who 
lived on White river and who had been previously directed and 
requested to abandon their towns on that river and remove into 
Ohio. In these messages he expressed his regret at unfortunately 
killing some of their men, and urged them to move to the Shaw- 
anee settlement on the Auglaize river. He assured them that their 
people, in his power, would be compensated by the Government 
for their losses, if not found to be hostile ; and the friends of those 
killed satisfied by presents, if such satisfaction would be received. 
This advice was heeded by the main body of the Delawares and a 
few Miamis. The Shawanee Prophet, and some of the principal 
chiefs of the Miamis, retired from the country of the Wabash, and, 
with their destitute and suffering bands, moved to Detroit, where 
they were received as the friends and allies of Great Britain. 

On the approach of Gen. Harrison with his army in September, 
1813, the British evacuated Detroit, and the Ottawas, Chippewas, 
Pottawatomies, Miamis and Kickapoos sued for peace with the 
United States, which was granted temporarily by Brig. Gen. Mc- 
Arthur, on condition of their becoming allies of the United States 
in case of war. 

In June, 1813, an expedition composed of 137 men, under com- 
mand of Col. Joseph Bartholomew, moved from Yalonia toward 
the Delaware towns on the west fork of White river, to surprise 
and punish some hostile Indians who were supposed to be lurking 
about those villages. Most of these places they found deserted; 
some of them burnt. They had been but temporarily occupied for 
the purpose of collecting and carrying away corn. Col. Bartholo- 
mew's forces succeeded in killing one or two Indians and destroy- 
ing considerable corn, and they returned to Yalonia on the 2l8t of 
this month. 

July 1, 1813, Col. William Russell, of the 7th U. S., organized 
a force of 573 effective men at Yalonia and marched to the Indian 
villages about the mouth of the Mississinewa. His experience was 
much like that of Col. Bartholomew, who had just preceded him. 
He had rainy weather, suffered many losses, found the villages de- 
serted, destroyed stores of corn, etc. The Colonel reported that he 
went to every place where he expected to find the enemy, but they 
nearly always seemed to have fled the country. The march from 
Yalonia to the mouth of the Mississinewa and return was about 
250 miles. 

Several smaller expeditions helped to "checker" the surrounding 



108 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

country, and find that the Indians were very careful to keep tb.em- 
selves out of sight, and thus closed this series of campaigns. 

CLOSE OF THE WAR. 

The war with England closed on the 24th of December, 1814, 
when a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. The 9th article of 
the treaty required the United States to put an end to hostilities 
with all tribes or nations of Indians with whom they had been at 
war; to restore to such tribes or nations respectively all the rights 
and possessions to which they were entitled in 1811, before the 
war, on condition that such Indians should agree to desist from all 
hostilities against the United States. But in February, just before 
the treaty was sanctioned by our Government, there were signs of 
Indians accumulating arms and ammunition, and a cautionary 
order was therefore issued to have all the white forces in readiness 
for an attack by the Indians; but the attack was not made. During 
the ensuing summer and fall the United States Government ac- 
quainted the Indians with the provisions of the treaty, and entered 
into subordinate treaties of peace with the principal tribes. 

Just before the treaty of Spring Wells (near Detroit) was signed, 
the Shawanee Prophet retired to Canada, but declaring his resolu- 
tion to abide by any treaty which the chiefs might sign. Some 
time afterward he returned to the Shawanee settlement in Ohio, and 
lastly to the west of the Mississippi, where he died, in 1834. The 
British Government allowed him a pension from 1813 until his 
death. His brother Tecumseh was killed at the battle of the 
Thames, Oct. 5, 1813, by a Mr. Wheatty, as we are positively in- 
formed by Mr. A. J, James, now a resident of La Ilarpe township, 
Hancock county, III., whose father-in-law, John Pigman, of Co- 
shocton county, Ohio, was an eye witness. Gen. Johnson has gener- 
ally had the credit of killing Tecumseh. 




TECUMSKU. 



TECUMSEH. 

If one should inquire who has been the greatest Indian, the most 
noted, the " principal Indian " in North America since its discov- 
ery by Columbus, we would be obliged to answer, Tecumseh. For 
all those qualities which elevate a man far above his race; for talent, 
tact, skill and bravery as a warrior; for high-minded, honorable and 
chivalrous bearing as a man; in a word, for all those elements of 
greatness which place him a long way above his fellows in savage 
life, the name and fame of Tecumseh will go down to posterity in 
the West as one of the most celebrated of the aborigines of this 
continent, — as one who had no equal among the tribes that dwelt 
in the country drained by the Mississippi. Born to command him- 
self, he used all the appliances that would stimulate the courage 
and nerve the valor of his followers. Always in the front rank of 
battle, his followers blindly followed his lead, and as his war-cry 
rang clear above the din and noise of the battle-field, the Shawnee 
warriors, as they rushed on to victory or the grave, rallied around 
him, foemen worthy of the steel of the most gallant commander 
that ever entered the lists in defense of his altar or his home. 

The tribe to which Tecumseh, or Tecumtha, as some write it, be- 
longed, was the Shawnee, or Shawanee. The tradition of the nation, 
held that they originally came from the Gulf of Mexico; that they 
wended their way up the Mississippi and the Ohio, and settled at 
or near the present site of Shawneetown, 111., whence they removed 
to the upper Wabash. In the latter place, at any rate, they were 
found early in the 18th century, and were known as the "bravest 
of the brave." This tribe has uniformly been the bitter enemy of 
the white man, and in every contest with our people has exhibited 
a degree of skill and strategy that should characterize the most 
dangerous foe. 

Tecumseh's notoriety and that of his brother, the Prophet, mutu- 
ally served to establish and strengthen each other. While the 
Prophet had unlimited power, spiritual and temporal, he distributed 
his greatness in all the departments of Indian life with a kind of 
fanaticism that magnetically aroused the religious and superstitious, 

passions, not only of his own followers, but also of all the tribes in 

(111) 



112 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

this part of the country; but Tecuraseh concentrated his greatness 
upon the more practical and business affairs of military conquest. 
It is doubted whether he was really a sincere believer in the preten- 
sions of his fanatic bi other; if he did not believe in the pretentious 
feature of them he had the shrewdness to keep his unbelief to him- 
self, knowiog that religious fanaticism was one of the strongest im- 
pulses to reckless bravery. 

During his sojourn in the Northwestern Territory, it was Tecum- 
seh's uppermost desire of life to confederate all the Indian tribes of 
the country together against the whites, to maintain their choice 
hunting-grounds. All his public policy converged toward this sin- 
gle end. In his vast scheme he comprised even all the Indians in 
the Gulf country, — all in America west of the Alleghany moun- 
tains. He held, as a subordinate principle, that the Great Spirit 
had given the Indian race all these hunting-grounds to keep in 
common, and that no Indian or tribe could cede any portion of the 
land to the whites without the consent of all the tribes. Hence, in 
all his councils with the whites he ever maintained that the treaties 
were null and void. 

When he met Harrison at Yincennes in council the last time, 
and, as he was invited by that General to take a seat with him on 
the platform, he hesitated; Harrison insisted, saying that it was the 
"wish of their Great Father, the President of the United States, 
that he should do so." The chief paused a moment, raised his tall 
and commanding form to its greatest height, surveyed the troops 
and crowd around him, fixed his keen eyes upon Gov. Harrison, 
and then turning them to the sky above, and pointing toward 
heaven with his sinewy arm in a manner indicative of supreme 
contempt for the paternity assigned him, said in clarion tones: " My 
father? The sun is my father, the earth is my mother, and on her 
bosom I will recline." He then stretched himself, with hjs war- 
riors, on the green sward. The effect was electrical, and for some 
moments there was perfect silence. 

The Governor, then, through an interpreter, told him that he un 
derstood he had some complaints to make and redress to ask, etc. , 
and that he wished to investigate the matter and make restitutio' 
wherever it might be decided it should be done. As soon as the 
Governor was through with this introductory speech, the stately 
warrior arose, tall, athletic, manly, dignified and graceful, and with 
a voice at first low, but distinct and musical, commenced a reply. 
As he warmed up with his subject his clear tones might be heard, 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 113 

as if " trurapet-tongued," to the utmost limits of the assembly. 
The most perfect silence prevailed, except when his warriors gave 
their guttural assent to some eloquent recital of the red man's 
wrong and the white man's injustiije. Tecumseh recited the wrongs 
which his race had suffered from che ti.ne of the massacre of the 
Moravian Indians to the present; said he did not know how he 
could ever again be the friend of the white man ; that the Great 
Spirit had given to the Indian all the land from the Miami to the 
Mississippi, and from the lakes to the Ohio, as a common property 
to all the tribes in these borderg, and that the land could not and 
should not be sold without the consent of all; that all the tribes on 
the continent formed but one nation; that if the United States 
would not give up the lands they had bought of the Miamis and 
the other tribes, those united with him were determined to annihi- 
late those tribes; that they were determined to have no more chiefs, 
but in future to be governed by their warriors; that unless the 
whites ceased their encroachments upon Indian lands, the fate of 
the Indians was sealed; they had been driven from the banks of 
the Delaware across the Alleghanies, and their possessions on the 
Wabash and the Illinois were now to be taken from them; that in 
a few years they would not have ground enough to bury their war- 
riors on this side of the "Father of Waters;" that all would perish, 
all their possessions taken from them by fraud or force, unless they 
stopped the progress of the white man westward ; that it must be 
a war of races in which one or the other must perish; that their 
tribes had been driven toward the setting sun like a galloping 
horse (ne-kat a-kush-e ka-top-o-lin-to). 

The Shawnee language, in which this most eminent Indian states- 
man spoke, excelled all other aboriginal tongues in its musical ar- 
ticulation; and the effect of Tecumseh's oratory on this occasion 
can be more easily imagined than described. Gov. Harrison, 
although as brave a soldier and General as any American, was over- 
come by this speech. He well knew Tecumseh's power and influ- 
ence among all the tribes, knew his bravery, courage and determi- 
nation, and knew that he meant what he said. When Tecumseh 
was done speaking there was a stillness throughout the assembly 
which was really painful; not a whisper was heard, and all eyes were 
turned from the speaker toward Gov. Harrison, who after a few 
moments came to himself, and recollecting many of the absurd 
statements of the great Indian orator, began a reply which was 
more logical, if not so eloquent. The Shawnees were attentive un- 



114 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 

til Harrison's interpreter be^an to translate his speech to the Mia- 
mis and Pottawatomies, when Tecumseh and his warriors sprang 
to their feet, brandishing their war-ciubsand tomahawks. "Tell 
hira," said Tecumseh, addressing the interpreter in Shawnee, " he 
lies." The interpreter undertook to convey this message to the 
Governor in smoother language, but Tecumseh noticed the effort 
and remonstrated, " No, no; tell hira belies." The warriors began 
to grow more excited, when Secretary Gibson ordered the Ameri- 
can troops in arms to advance. This allayed the rising storm, and 
as soon as Tecumseh's " He lies " was literally interpreted to the 
Governor, the latter told Tecumseh through the interpreter to tell 
Tecumseh he would hold no further council with him. 

Thus the assembly was broken up, and one can hardly imagine a 
more exciting scene. It wonld constitute the finest subject for a 
historical painting to adorn the rotunda of the capitol. The next 
day Tecumseh requested another interview with the Governor, 
which was granted on condition that he should make an apology to 
the Governor for his language the day before. This he made 
through the interpreter. Measures for defense and protection were 
taken, however, lest there should be another outbreak. Two com- 
panies of militia were ordered from the country, and the one in 
•town added to them, while the Governor and his friends went into 
council fully armed and prepared for any contingency. On this oc- 
casion the conduct of Tecumseh was entirely different from that of 
the day before. Firm and intrepid, showing not the slightest fear 
or alarm, surrounded with a military force four times his own, he 
preserved the utmost composure and equanimity. No one would 
have supposed that he could have been the principal actor in the 
thrilling scene of the previous day. He claimed that half the 
Americans were in sympathy with him. He also said that whites 
had informed him that Gov. Harrison had purchased land from the 
Indians without any authority from the Government; that he, 
Harrison, had but two years more to remain in office, and that if 
he, Tecumseh, could prevail upon the Indians who sold the lands 
not to receive their annuities for that time, and the present Gover- 
nor displaced by a good man as his successor, the latter would re- 
store to the Indians all the lands purchased from them. 

The Wyandots, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Otta was and the "Win- 
nebagoes, through their respective spokesmen, declared their 
adherence to the great Shawnee warrior and statesman. Gov. Harri- 
son then told them that he would send Tecumseh's speech to thePresi- 



■JirSTOiaoF INPIAVA. 115 

dent of the IJnued State* and return the an.^wer to the Indiana as soon 
as it was received. Teenmseh then declared that he and hi^ allies were 
determined that the old bonndary line should continue; and that 
if the wliites crossed it, it would be at their peril. Gov. Harrison re- 
plied that he would be equally plain with him and state that the 
President would never allow that the lands on the Wabash were the 
property of any other tribes than those who had occupied them 
since the white people first came to America; and as the title to 
the lands lately purchased was derived from those tribes by a fair 
purchase, he might rest assured that the right of the United States 
would be supported by the sword. " So be it," was the stern and 
haughty reply of the Shawnee chieftan, as he and his braves took 
leave of the Governor and wended their way in Indian file to their 
camping ground. 

Thus ended the last conference on earth between the chivalrous 
Tecumseh and the hero of the battle of Tippecanoe. The bones of 
the first lie bleaching on the battle-field of the Thames, and those 
of the last in a mausoleum on the banks of the Ohio; each strug- 
gled for the mastery of his race, av^ each no doubt was equally 
honest and patriotic in his purposes. The weak yielded to the 
strong, the defenseless to the powerful, and the hunting-ground of 
the Shawnee is all occupied by his enemy. 

Tecumseh, with four of his braves, immediately embarked in a 
birch canoe, descended the Wabash, and went on to the South to 
unite the tribes of that country in a general system of self-defense 
against the encroachment of the whites. His emblem was a dis- 
jointed snake, with the motto, "Join or die!" In union alone was 
strength. 

Before Tecumseh left the Prophet's town at the mouth of the 
Tippecanoe river, on his excursion to the South, he had a definite 
understanding with his brother and the chieftains of the other tribes 
in the Wabash country, that they should preserve perfect peace 
with the whites until his arrangements were completed for a con- 
federacy of the tribes on both sides of the Ohio and on the Missis- 
sippi river; but it seems that while he was in the South engaged 
in his work of uniting the tribes of that country some of the North- 
ern tribes showed signs of fight and precipitated Harrison into that 
campaign which ended in the battle of Tippecanoe and the total 
route of the Indians. Tecumseh, on his return from the South, 
learning what had happened, was overcome with chagrin, disappoint- 
ment and anger, and accused his brother of duplicity and coward- 



116 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

ice; indeed, it is said that he never forgave him to the day of his 
death. A short time afterward, on the breaking out of the war of 
Great Britain, he joined Proctor, at Maiden, with a party of his 
warriors, and finally suffered the fate mentioned on page 108. 

CIVIL MATTERS 1812-'5. 

Owing to the absence of Gov. Harrison on military duty, John 
Gibson, the Secretary of the Territory, acted in the administration 
of civil affairs. In his message to the Legislature convening on the 
1st of February, 1813, he said, substantially: 

*' Did I possess the abilities of Cicero or Demosthenes, I could 
not portray in more glowing colors our foreign and domestic politi- 
cal situation than it is already experienced within our own breasts. 
The United States have been compelled, by frequent acts of injus- 
tice, to declare war against England. For a detail of the causes of 
this war I would refer to the message of President Madison; it 
does honor to his head and heart. Although not an admirer of 
war, I am glad to see our little but inimitable navy riding triumph- 
ant on the seas, but chagrined to find that our armies by land are 
so little successful. The spirit of '76 appears to have fled from our 
continent, or, if not fled, is at least asleep, for it appears not to 
pervade our armies generally. At your last assemblage our politi- 
cal^horizon seemed clear, and our infant Territory bid fair for rapid 
and rising grandeur; but, alas, the scene has changed; and whether 
this change, as respects our Territory, has been owing to an over 
anxiety in us to extend our dominions, or to a wish for retaliation 
by our foes, or to a foreign influence, I shall not say. The Indians, 
our former neighbors and friends, have become our most inveterate 
foea. Our former frontiers are now our wilds, and our inner settle- 
ments have become frontiers. Some of our best citizens, and old 
men worn down with age, and helpless women and innocent 
babes, have fallen victims to savage cruelty. I have done my duty 
as well as I can, and hope that the interposition of Providence will 
protect ua." 

The many complaints made about the Territorial Government 
Mr. Gibson said, were caused more by default of officers than of the 
law. Said he: "It is an old and, I believe, correct adage, that 
' good officers make good soldiers.' This evil having taken root, I do 
not know how it can be eradicated; but it may be remedied. In 
place of men searching after and accepting commissions before they 



TIISTOKY OF INDIANA. 117 

are even tolerably qualified, thereby subjecting themselves to ridi- 
cule and their country to ruin, barely for the name of the thing, I 
think may be remedied by a previous examination." 

During this session of the Legislature the seat of the Territorial 
Government was declared to be atCorydon, and immediately acting 
Governor Gibson prorogued the Legislature to meet at that place, 
the first Monday of December, 1813. During this year the Terri- 
tory was almost defenseless; Indian outrages were of common 
occurrence, but no general outbreak was made. The militia-men 
were armed with rifles and long knives, and many of the rangers 
carried tomahawks. 

In 1813 Thomas Posey, who was at that time a Senator in Con- 
gress from Tennessee, and who had been officer of the army of the 
Revolution, was appointed Governor of Indiana Territory, to suc- 
ceed Gen. Harrison. He arrived in Vincennes and entered up3n 
the discharge of his duties May 25, 1813. During this year several 
expeditions against the Indian settlements were set on foot. 

In his first message to the Legislature the following December, 
at Corydon, Gov. Posey said: " The present crisis is awful, and big 
with great events. Our land and nation is involved in the common 
calamity of war; but we are under the protecting care of the benefi- 
cent Being,who has on a former occasion brought us safely through 
an arduous struggle and placed us on a foundation of independence, 
freedom and happiness. He will not suffer to be taken from us 
what He, in His great wisdom has thought proper to confer and 
bless us with, if we make a wise and virtuous use of His good 
gifts. * * * Although our affairs, at the commencement of 
the war, wore a gloomy aspect, they have brightened, and promise 
a certainty of success, if properly directed and conducted, of which 
I have no doubt, as the President and heads of departments of the 
general Government are men of undoubted patriotism, talents and 
experience, and who have grown old in the service of their country. 
* * * It must be obvious to every thinking man that we were 
forced into the war. Every measure consistent with honor, both 
before and since the declaration of war, has tried to be on amicable 
terms with our enemy, * * * You who reside in various parts 
of the Territory have it in your power to understand what will tend 
to its local and general advantage. The judiciary system would 
require a revisal and amendment. The militia law is very defective 
and requires your immediate attention. It is necessary to have 



lis HISTOKV OF INDIANA. 

good roads and highways in as many directions through the Terri- 
tory as the circumstances and situation of the inhabitants will 
admit; it would contribute very much to promote the settlement 
and improvement of the Territory. Attention to education is highly 
necessary. There is an appropriation made by Congress, in lands, 
for the purpose of.establishing public schools. It comes now with- 
in your province to carry into operation the design of the appro- 
priation." 

This Legislature passed several very necessary laws for the wel- 
fare of the settlements, and the following year, as Gen. Harrison 
was generally successful in his military campaigns in the North- 
west, the settlements in Indiana began to increase and improve. 
The fear of danger from Indians had in a great measure subsided, 
and the tide of immigration began again to flow. In January, 
1814, about a thousand Miamis assembled at Fort Wayne for the 
purpose of obtaining food to prevent starvation. They met with 
ample hospitality, and their example was speedily followed by 
others. These, with other acts of kindness, won the lasting friend- 
ship of the Indians, many of whom had fought in the interests of 
Great Britain. General treaties between the United States and the 
Northwestern tribes were subsequently concluded, and the way 
was fully opened for the improvement and settlement of the lands. 

POPULATION IN 1815. 

The population of the Territory of Indiana, as given in the 
official returns to. the Legislature of 1815, was as follows, by 
counties: 

COUNTIES. While males of 21 and over. TOTAL. 

Wayne 1,225 6,407 

Fninklin , 1,430 7,370 

Dearborn 902 4,424 

Switzerland 377 1,832 

Jefferson- •• 874 4,270 

Clark 1,387 7,150 

Washington 1,420 7,317 

Harrison 1,056 6,975 

Knox 1,391 = .- 8,068 

Gibson 1,100 5,3a0 

Posey 320 1,619 

Warrick. 280 l,41d 

Perry 350 1,720 



Grand Totals 12,112 

GENERAL VIEW. 



The well-known ordinance of 1787 conferred many " rights and 
privileges " upon the inhabitants of the Northwestern Territory, and 



HIRTORY OF INDIANA. 119 

consequently upon the people of Indiana Territory, but after all it 
came far short of conferring as many privileges as are enjoyed at 
the present day by our Territories. They did not have a full form 
of Republican government. A freehold estate in 500 acres of land 
was one of the necessary qualifications of each member of the legis- 
lative council of the Territory ; every member of the Territorial House 
of Representatives was required to hold, in his own right, 200 acres 
of land ; and the privilege of voting for members of the House 
of Representatives was restricted to those inhabitants who, in addi- 
tion to other qualifications, owned severally at least 50 acres of 
land. The Governor of the the Territory was invested with the 
power of appointing oflScers of the Territorial militia, Judges of the 
inferior Courts, Clerks of the Courts, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, 
Coroners, County Treasurers and County Surveyors. He was also 
authorized to divide the Territory into districts; to apportion 
among the several counties the members of the House of Represent- 
atives; to prevent the passage of any Territorial law; and to con- 
vene and dissolve the General Assembly whenever he thought best. 
None of the Governors, however, ever exercised these extraordinary 
powers arbitrarily. Nevertheless, the people were constantly agi- 
tating the question of extending the right of suffrage. Five years 
after the organization of the Territory, the Legislative Council, in 
reply to the Governor's Message, said: "Although we are not as 
completely independent in our legislative capacity as we would 
wish to be, yet we are sensible that we must wait with patience for 
that period of time when our population will burst the trammels 
of a Territorial government, and we shall assume the character more 
consonant to Republicanism. * * * The confidence which our 
fellow citizens have uniformly had in your administration has been 
such that they have hitherto had no reason to be jealous of the un- 
limited power which you possess over our legislative proceedings. 
We, however, cannot help regretting that such powers have 
been lodged in the hands of any one, especially when it is recol- 
lected to what dangerous lengths the exercise of those powers may 
be extended." 

After repeated petitions the people of Indiana were empowered 
by Congress to elect the members of the Legislative Council by popu- 
lar vote. This act was passed in 1809, and defined what was known 
as the property qualification of voters. These qualifications were 
abolished by Congress in 1811, which extended the right of voting 
for members of the General Assembly and for a Territorial delegate 



!20 lUSTOKV OF INDIANA. 

to Congress to every free wbite male person who had attained the 
age of twenty-one years, and who, having paid a county or Terri- 
torial tax, was a resident of the Territory and had resided in it for 
a year. In 1814 the voting qualification in Indiana was defined by 
Congress, *' to every tree white male person having a freehold in 
the Territory, and being a resident of the same." The House of 
Representatives was authorized by Congress to lay off the Territory 
into five districts, in each of which the qualified voters were em- 
powered to elect a member of the Legislative Council. The division 
was made, one to two counties in each district. 

At the session in August, 1814, the Territory was also divided 
into three judicial circuits, and provisions were made for holding 
courts in the same. The Governor was empowered to appoint a 
presiding Judge in each circuit, and two Associate Judges of the 
circuit court in each county. Their compensation was fixed at 
$700 per annum. 

The same year the General Assembly granted charters to two 
banking institutions, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Madi- 
son and the Bank of Vincennes. The first was authorized to raise 
a capital of $750,000, and the other $500,000. On the organization 
of the State these banks were merged into the State Bank and its 
branches. 

Here we close the history of the Territory of Indiana. 




ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE, 

The last regular session of the Territorial Legislature was held at 
Corydon, convening in December, 1815. The message of Governor 
Posey congratulated the people of the Territory upon the general 
successof the settlements and the great increase of immigration, 
recommended light taxes and a careful attention to the promotion 
of education and the improvement of the State roads and highways. 
He also recommended a revision of the territorial laws and an 
amendment of the militia system. Several laws were passed pre- 
paratory to a State Government, and December 14, 1815, a me- 
morial to Congress was adopted praying for the authority to adopt 
a constitution and State Government. Mr. Jennings,the Territorial 
delegate, laid this memorial before Congress on the 28th, and April 
19, 1816, the President approved the bill creating the State of In- 
diana. Accordingly, May 30 following, a general election was held 
for a constitutional convention, which met at Corydon June 10 to 
29, Johathan Jennings presiding and Wm. Hendricks acting as 
Secretary. 

"The convention that formed the first constitution of the State 
of Indiana was composed mainly of clear-minded, unpretending 
men of common sense, whose patriotism was unquestionable and 
whose morals were fair. Their familiarity with the theories of the 
Declaration of American Independence, their Territorial experience 
under the provisions of the ordinance of 1787, and their knowledge of 
the principles of the constitution of the United States were sufficient, 
when combined, to lighten materially their labors in the great work 
of forming a constitution for a new State. With such landmarks 
in view, the labors of similar conventions in other States and Ter- 
ritories have been rendered comparatively light. In the clearness 
and conciseness of its style, in the comprehensive and just pro- 
visions which it made for the maintainance of civil and religious 
liberty, in its mandates, which were designed to protect the rights 
of the people collectively and individually, and to provide for the 
public welfare, the constitution that was formed for Ind'.ana in 1816 
was not inferior to any of the State constitutions which were in ex- 
istence at that time." — Dillon'' s History of Indiana, 

(121) 



122 HISTOKY uK INDIANA. 

Tlie first State election took place on the first Monday of Anfrnst, 
1816, and Jonathan Jennings was elected Governor, and Christo- 
pher Harrison, Lieut. Governor. Wra. Hendricks was elected to 
represent the new State in the House of Representatives of the 
United States. 

The first General Assembly elected under the new constitution 
began its session at Corydon, Nov. 4, 1816. John Paul was called 
to the chair of the Senate pro tern., and Isaac Blackford was elected 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Among other things in the new Governor's message were the 
following remarks: "The result of your deliberation will be con- 
sidered as indicative of its future character as well as of the future 
happiness and prosperity of its citizens. In the commencement 
of the State government the shackles of the colonial should be for- 
gotten in our exertions to prove, by happy experience, that a uni- 
form adherence to the first principles of our Government and a 
virtuous exercise of its powers will best secure efficiency to its 
measures and stability to its character. "Without a frequent recur- 
rence to those principles, the administration of the Government 
will imperceptibly become more and more arduous, until the sim- 
plicity of our Republican institutions may eventually be lost in 
<iangerous expedients and political design. Under every free gov- 
ernment the happiness of the citizens must be identified with their 
morals; and while a constitutional exercise of their rights shall 
continue to have its due weight in discharge of the duties required 
of the constituted authorities of the State, too much attention can- 
not be bestowed to' the encouragement and promotion of every 
moral virtue, and to the enactment of laws calculated to restrain 
the vicious, and prescribe punishment for every crime commensu- 
rate with its enormity. In measuring, however, to each crime its 
adequate punishment, it will be well to recollect that the certainty 
of punishment has generally the surest effect to prevent crime; 
while punishments unnecessarily severe too often produce the ac- 
quittal of the guilty and disappoint one of the greatest objects of 
legislation and good government. * * * The dissemination of 
useful knowledge will be indispensably necessary aa a support to 
morals and as a restraint to vice; and on this subject it will only 
be necessary to direct your attention to the plan of education as 
prescribed by the constitution. * ■* * I recommend to your 
consideration the propriety of providing by law, to prevent more 
effectually any unlawful attempts to seize and carry into bondage 




UPKNING AN INDIANA iJUiiEsT. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA 125 

persons of color legally entitled to their freedom; and at the same 
time, as far as practicable, to prevent those who rightfully owe ser- 
vice to the citizeps of any other State or Territory from seeking 
within the limits of this State a refuge from the possession of their 
lawful owners. Such a measure will tend to secure those who are 
free from any unlawful attempts (to enslave them) and secures the 
rights of the citizens of the other States and Territories as far as 
ought reasonably to be expected." 

This session of the Legislature elected James Noble and Waller 
Taylor to the Senate of the United States; Robert A. New was 
elected Secretary of State; "W". H. Lilley, Auditor of State; and 
Daniel C. Lane, Treasurer of State. The session adjourned Janu- 
ary 3, 1817. 

As the history of the State of Indiana from this time forward is 
best given by topics, we will proceed to give them in the chronolog- 
ical order of their origin. 

The happy close of the war with Great Britain in 1814 was fol- 
lowed by a great rush of immigrants to the great Territory of the 
Northwest, including the new States, all now recently cleared of 
the enemy; and by 1820 the State of Indiana had more than 
doubled her population, having at this time 147,178, and by 1825 
nearly doubled this again, that is to say, a round quarter of a mil- 
lion, — a growth more rapid probably than that of any other , section 
in this country since the days of Columbus. 

The period 1825-'30 was a. prosperous time for the young State. 
Immigration continued to be rapid, the crops were generally good 
and the hopes of the people raised higher than they had ever been 
before. Accompanying this immigration, however, were paupers 
and indolent people, who threatened to be so numerous as to 
become a serious burden. On this subject Governor Ray called for 
legislative action, but the Legislature scarcely knew what to do 
and they deferred action. 



BLACK HAWK WAR. 

triW,'?T 'r"' '"'V'"°<'^<=<* '^'""" 'he bounds of the State two 
■ tnbesof I.d,ans. who.e growing indolence, intemperate haUr 
dependence upon their neighbors for the bread of life' dirnini d' 
p ospects of hv,ngb.y the chase, continued perpetrati™ of nudrs 
and other outrages of dangerous precedent, primitive i^„o 
n.nce and unrestrained exhibitions of savage c^sL" bl forf e 
ch.ldren of the settlers, combined to make them subjects fo a „oe 
ng>d govern,nent. The removal of the Indians wes of the M si 

rrfvldT ^r"™"'""^ '"' "'"^'''^- '^"*^- The time hav" 
arr.ved for the emigration of the Pottawatomies, according to thf 

evmced that reluctance common among aboriginal tribes on leav 
ing the homes of their childhood and the graves of their ancestors 
Love ot country is a principle planted in t\e bosoms of al 1:: 

wbof. I ^T "■ *"'' *" Esquimaux of the frozen north 
who feed on seals, moose and the meat of the polar bear wonid „ t 
exchange their country for the sunuy clime of'"Ar£ 'the '^^^^f 
Color and shades of complexion have nothing to do with the 
heart's best, warmest emotions. Then we should fot wonderlat the 
Pottawatom.e, on leaving his home on the Wabash, felt as sad as 
^ chmes did when ostracised from his native land laved bv the 
watet^of the classic Scamander; and the noble and loq„e„tNas 
waw-kay, on leaving the encampment on Crooked cree\ flu h t 
blvertr '^f-'^- Cicero when thrust from thebos;™ h 
anSw^ThS'^"^'^'^^^" ''' best efforts of his life. 

of'^he Waba^""!!' "'^."' ''''' ""^ ^^'^ ^ ">« "-' -de 
lount of a re : ,.T" T " ^'^'^ "' ^"^' -nsternation, on 
account of a report that a large body of hostile Indians had 
approached wthin 15 miles of Lafayette and killed two men The 
alarm soon spread throughout Tippecanoe, Warren, Vermilh" 
Fountain Montgomery, and adjoining counties. Several brave 
commandants of companies on the west side of the Wabash [n 
Tippecanoe county, raised troops to go and meet the enemy and 
dispatched an express to Gen. Wgker with a request that he should 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. ^^7 



make a call ui)on the militia of the county to equip themselves 
instantly and march to the aid of their bleeding countrymen 
Thereupon Gen. Walker, Col. Davis, Lieut-Col. Jenners, Capt 
Brown, of the artillery, and various other gallant spirits mounted 
their war steeds and proceeded to the army, and thence upon a 
scout to the Grand Prairie to discover, if possible, the number, 
intention and situation of the Indians. Over 300 old men, women 
and children flocked precipitately to Lafayette and the surrounding 
country east of the Wabash. A remarkable event occurred m this 
stampede, as follows: 

A man, wife and seven children resided on the edge ot the 
Grand Prairie, west of Lafayette, in a locality considered particn- 
larly dangerous. On hearing of this alarm he made hurrie<l 
preparations to fly with his family to Lafayette for safety. Imag- 
ine his surprise and chagrin when his wife told him she would not 
go one step; that she did not believe in being scared at trifles, and 
in her opinion there was not an Indian within 100 miles of them 
Importunity proved unavailing, and the disconsolate and frightened 
husband and father took all the children except the youngest, bade 
his wife and babe a long and solemn farewell, never expecting to 
see them again, unless perhaps he might find their mangled re- 
mains, minus their scalps. On arriving at Lafayette, his acquaint, 
ances rallied and berated him for abandoning his wife and child in 
that way, but he met their jibes with a stoical indifference, avowing 
that he should not be held responsible for their obstinacy. 

As the shades of the first evening drew on, the wife felt lonely; 
and the chirping of the frogs and the notes of the whippoorwill only 
intensified her loneliness, until she half wished she had accom- 
panied the rest of the family in their flight. She remained m the 
house a .ew hours without striking a light, and then concluded 
that -discretion was the better part of valor," took her babe and 
some bed-clothes, fastened the cabin door, and hastened to a sink- 
hole in the woods, in which she afterward said that she and her 
babe slept soundly until sunrise next morning. 

Lafayette literally boiled over with people and patriotism. A 
meeting was held at the court-house, speeches were made by 
patriotic individuals, and to allay the fears of the women an armed 
police was immediately ordered, to be called the " Lafayette Guards. 
Thos. T. Benbridge was elected Captain, and John Cox, Lieutenant. 
Capt. Benbridge yielded the active drill of his guards to the 
Lieutenant, who had served two years in the war of 1812. After 



128 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

the meeting adjourned, the guards were paraded on the green 
where Purdue's block now stands, and put through sundry evolu- 
tions by Lieut. Cox, who proved to be an expert drill oflBcer, and 
whose clear, shrill voice rung out on the night air as he marched 
and counter-marched the troops from where the paper-mill stands 
to Main street ferry, and over the suburbs, generally. Every old 
gun and sword that could be found w^as brought into requisition, 
with a new shine on them. 

Gen, Walker, Colonels Davis and Jenners, and other officers 
joined in a call of the people of Tippecanoe county for volunteers to 
march to the frontier settlements. A large meeting of the citizens 
assembled in the public square in the town, and over 300 volunteers 
mostly mounted meh, left for the scene of action, with an alacrity 
that would have done credit to veterans. 

The first night they camped nine miles west of Lafayette, near 
Grand Prairie. They placed sentinels for the night and retired to 
rest. A few of the subaltern officers very injudiciously concluded 
to try what effect a false alarm would have upon the sleeping sol- 
diers, and a few of them withdrew to a neighboring thicket, and 
thence made a charge upon the picket guards, who, after hailing 
them and receiving no countersign, fired off their guns and ran for 
the Colonel's marquee in the center of the encampment. The aroused 
Colonels and staff sprang to their feet, shouting "To arms! to arms!" 
and the obedient, though panic-stricken soldiers seized their guns 
and demanded to be led against the invading foe. A wild scene of 
disorder ensued, and amid the din of arms and loud commands of 
the officers the raw militia felt that they had already got into the 
red jaws of battle. One of the alarm sentinels, in running to the 
center of the encampment, leaped over a blazing camp fire, and 
alighted full upon the breast and stomach of a sleeping lawyer, who 
was, no doubt, at that moment dreaming of vested and contingent 
remainders, rich clients and good fees, which in legal parlance was 
suddenly estopped by the hob-nails in the stogas of the scared 
sentinel. As soon as the counselor's vitality and consciousness 
sufficiently returned, ho put in some strong demurrers to the con- 
duct of the affrighted picket men, averring that he would greatly 
prefer being wounded by the enemy to being run over by a cowardly 
booby. Next morning the organizers of the ruse were severely 
reprimanded. 

May 28, 1832, Governor Noble ordered General Walker to call 
out his whole command, if necessary, and supply arms, horses and 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



129 



provisions, even though it be necessary to seize them. The next 
day four baggage wagons, loaded with camp equipments, stores, 
provisions and other articles, were sent to the little army, who were 
thus provided for a campaign of five or six weeks. The following 
Thursday a squad of cavalry, under Colonel Sigler, passed through 
Lafayette on the way to the hostile region ; and on the 13th of June 
Colonel Russell, commandant of the 40th Regiment, Indiana Militia, 
passed through Lafayette with 340 mounted volunteers from the 
counties of Marion, Hendricks and Johnson. Also, several com- 
panies of volunteers from Montgomery, Fountain and Warren 
counties, hastened to the relief of the frontier settlers. The troops 
from Lafayette marched to Sugar creek, and after a short time, 
there being no probability of finding any of the enemy, were 
ordered to return, They all did so except about 45 horsemen, who 
volunteered to cross Hickory creek, where the Indians had com- 
mitted their depredations. They organized a company by electing 
Samuel McGeorge, a soldier of the war of 1812, Captain, and Amos 
Allen and Andrew W. Ingraham, Lieutenants. 

Crossing Hickory creek, they marched as far as OTlein river 
without meeting with opposition. Finding no enemy here they 
concluded to return. On the first night of their march home they 
encamped on the open prairie, posting sentinels, as usual. About 
ten o'clock it began to rain, and it was with difficulty that the sen- 
tinels kept their guns dry. Capt. I. H. Cpx and a man named Fox 
had been posted as sentinels within 15 or 20 paces of each other. 
Cox drew the skirt of his overcoat over his gun-lock to keep it dry; 
Fox, perceiving this motion, and in the darkness taking him for an 
Indian, fired upon him and fractured hh thigh-bone. Several sol- 
diers immediately ran toward the place where the flash of the gun 
had been seen; but when they cocked and leveled their guns on the 
figure which had fired at Cox, the wounded man caused them to 
desist by crying, " Don't shoot him, it was a sentinel who shot me." 
The next day the wounded man was left behind the company in 
care of four men, who, as soon as possible, removed him on a litter 
to Col. Moore's company of Illinois militia, then encamped on the 
O'Plein, where Joliet now stands. 

Although the main body returned to Lafayette in eight or nine 
days, yet the alarm among the people was so great that they could 
not be induced to return to their farms for some time. The pres- 
ence of the hostiles was hourly expected by the frontier settlements 
of Indiana, from Vincennes to La Porte. In Clinton county the 



130 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

inhabitants gathered within the forts and prepared for a regular 
siege, while our neighbors at Crawfordsville were suddenly 
astounded by the arrival of a courier at full speed with the announce- 
ment that the Indians, more than a thousand in number, were then 
crossing the Nine-Mile prairie about twelve miles north of town, 
killing and scalping all. The strongest houses were immediately 
put in a condition of defense, and sentinels were placed at the prin- 
cipal points in the direction of the enemy. Scouts were sent out to 
reconnoitre, and messengers were dispatched in different directions 
to announce the danger to the farmers, and to urge them to hasten 
with their families into town, and to assist in fighting the moment- 
arily expected savages. At night-fall the scouts brought in the 
news that the Indians had not crossed the Wabash, but were hourly 
expected at Lafayette. The citizens of Warren, Fountain and Ver- 
million counties were alike terrified by exaggerated stories of Indian 
massacres, and immediately prepared for defense. It turned out 
that the Indians were not within 100 miles of these temporary 
forts; but this by no means proved a want of courage in the citizens. 

After some time had elapsed, a portion of the troops were 
marched back into Tippecanoe county and honorably discharged ; 
but the settlers were still loth for a long time to return to their 
farms. Assured by published reports that the Miamis and Potta- 
watomies did not intend to join the hostiles, the people by degrees 
recovered from the panic and began to attend to their neglected 
crops. 

During this time there was actual war in Illinois. Black Hawk 
and his warriors, well nigh surrounded by a well-disciplined foe, 
attempted to cross to the west bank of the Mississippi, but after 
being chased up into Wisconsin and to the Mississippi again, he 
was in a final battle taken captive. A few years after his liberation, 
about 1837 or 1838, he died, on the banks of the Des Moines river, 
in Iowa, in what is now the county of Davis, where his remains 
were deposited above ground, in the usual Indian style. His re- 
mains were afterward stolen and carried away, but they were re- 
covered by the Governor of Iowa and placed in the museum of the 
Historical Society at Burlington, where they were finally destroyed 
by fire. 



LAST EXODUS OF THE INDIANS. 

In July, 1837, Col. Abel C. Pepper convened the Pottawatomie 
na L of ndians at Lake Ke-waw-nay for the purpose of remov 
W th^n west of the Mississippi. That fall a small party of some 
80or90 Pottawatomies was condueted west of the M.ss:ss.pp. 
river by George Proffit, Esq. Among the number were Ke-waw- 
nay Nebash, Nas-waw-kay, Pash-po-ho and many other leadmg 
2n of the Nation. The regular emigration of these Poorlnd.a^, 
about 1,000 in number, took place under Col. Pepper and Gen. T.p- 

ton in the summer of 1838. . 

It was a sad and mournful spectacle to """f ^.*t"uf H T/t 
the forest slowly retiring from the home of the.r chUdhood th t 
contained not only the graves of their revered -^'^^^^''2^'^^ 
n,any endearing scenes to which their mernories would ever recur 
Z sunny spots along their pathway through the wj derness. They 
fel thafthey were bidding farewell to the hills, valleys and streams 
of their infancy; the more exciting huntrng-grounds of their ad- 
vanced youth, Is well as the stern and bloody battle-fields where 
Ihey had cont -ded in riper manhood, on which they had received 
wolds, and where many of their friends and loved relatives had 
Ta en c'overedwith goreandwith glory All thesethey werekav^ 
ing behind them, to be desecrated by tW plowshare of the white 
man. As they cast mournful glances back toward hese loved 
scenes that were rapidly fading in the distance tears fe 1 from the 
cheek of the downcast warrior, old men trembled matrons wept, 
the swirthymaiden-s cheek turned pale, and sighs and half-sup- 
pressid sobs escaped from the motley groups as tliey passed along 
Le on foot, some on horseback, and others in wagons,-sad as a 
fleral procession. Several of the aged warriors were seen to cas 
glances toward the sky, as if they "«'^ '™P'°""g '''^ ^""7 *''" 
fpirits of their departed heroes, who were looking down upon them 
from the clouds, or from the Great Spirit, who would ultima ey 
redress the wrongs of the red man, whose broken bow had fallen 
fom hs hand, fnd whose sad heart was bleeding withm bin. 
Ever and anon one of the party would start out into he brush and 
break back to their old encampments on Eel river and on the lippe- 

(131) 



132 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

canoe, declaring that tliey would rather die than be banished from 
their country. Thus, scores of discontented emigrants returned 
from different points on their journey; and it was several years 
before they could be induced to join their countrymen west of tlie 
Mississippi. 

Several years after the removal of the Pottawatomies the Miami 
nation was removed to their Western home, by coercive means, un- 
der an escort of United States troops. They were a proud and 
once powerful nation, but at the time of their removal were i'ar 
inferior, in point of numbers, to the Pottawatomie guests whom 
they had permitted to settle and hunt upon their lands, and fish in 
their lakes and rivers after tliey had been driven southward by 
powerful and warlike tribes who inhabited the shores of the North- 
ern lakes. 

INDIAN TITLES. 

In 1831 a joint resolution of the Legislature of Indiana, request- 
ing an appropriation by Congress for the extinguishment of the 
Indian title to lands within the State, was forwarded to that body? 
which granted the request. The Secretary of War, by authority, 
appointed a committee of three citizens to carry into effect the pro- 
visions of the recent law. The Miamis were surrounded on all 
sides by American settlers, and were situated almost in the heart 
of the State on the line of the canal then being made. The chiefs 
were called to a council for the purpose of making a treaty ; they 
promptly came, .but peremptorily refused to go westward or sell 
the remainder of their land. The Pottawatomies sold about 
6,000,000 acres in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, including all 
their claim in this State. 

In 1838 a treaty was concluded with the Miami Indians through 
the good offices of Col. A. C. Pepper, the Indian agent, by which 
a considerable of the most desirable portion of their reserve was 
ceded to the United States. 



LAXD SALES. 

As an example of the manner in which land speculators were 
treated by the early Indianians, we cite the following instances 
from Cox's " Kecollections of the AYabash Valley." 

At Crawfordsville, Dec. 24, 1824, many parties were present 
from the eastern and southern portions of the State, as well as from 
Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and even Pennsylvania, to attend a 
land sale. There was but little bidding against each other. The 
settlers, or " squatters," as they were called by the speculators, had 
arranged matters among themselves to their general satisfaction. 
If, upon comparing numbers, it appeared that two were after the 
same tract of land, one would ask the other what he would take 
not to bid against him; if neither would consent to be bought off 
they would retire and cast lots, and the lucky one would enter the 
tract at Congress price, $1.25 an acre, and the other would enter the 
second choice on his list. If a speculator made a bid, or showed a 
disposition to take a settler's claim from him, he soon saw the 
white of a score of eyes glaring at him, and he would "crawfish" 
out of the crowd at the first opportunity. 

The settlers made it definitely known to foreign capitalists that 
they would enter the tracts of land they had settled upon before 
allowing the latter to come in with their speculations. The land 
was sold in tiers of townships, beginning at the southern part of 
the district and continuing north until all had been ofi"ered at 
public sale. This plan was persisted in, although it kept many on 
the ground for several days waiting, who desired to purchase land 
in the northern part of the district. 

In 1827 a regular Indian scare was gotten up to keep specu- 
lators away for a short time. A man who owned a claim on Tippe- 
canoe river, near Pretty prairie, fearing that some one of the 
numerous land hunters constantly scouring the country might 
enter the land he had settled upon before he could raise the money 
to buy it, and seeing one day a cavalcade of land hunters riding 
toward where his land lay, mounted his horse and darted off at 
full speed to meet them, swinging his hat and shouting at the top 
of his voice, '' Indians! Indians! the woods are full of Indians, 
• (133) 



134 HISTORY OF INDfANA. 

murdering and scalping all before them !" They paused a moment, 
but as the terrified horseman still uiged his jaded animal and cried, 
"Help! Longlois,Cicots, help!" they turned and lied like a troop of 
retreating cavalry, hastening to the thickest settlements and giving 
the alarm, which spread like fire among stubble until the whole 
frontier region was shocked with the startling cry. The squatter 
who fabricated the story and started this false alarm took a cir- 
cuitous route liome that evening, and while others were busy 
building temporary block-houses and rubbing up their guns to 
meet the Indians, he was quietly gathering up money and slipped 
down to Crawfordsville and entered his land, chuckling to himself, 
" There's a Yankee trick for you, done up by a Hoosier," 

HARMONY COMMUNITY. 

In 1814 a society of Germans under Frederick Rappe, who had 
originally come from Wirtemberg, Germany, and more recently 
from Pennsylvania, founded a settlement on the Wabash about 50 
miles above its mouth. They were industrious, frugal and honest 
Lutherans. They purchased a large quantity of land and laid off 
a town, to which they gave the name of " Harmony," afterward 
called "New Harmony." They erected a church and a public 
school-house, opened farms, planted orchards and vineyards, built 
flouring mills, established a house of public entertainment, a public 
store, and carried on all the arts of peace with skill and regularity. 
Their property was " in common," according to the custom of an- 
cient Christians at Jerusalem, but the governing power, both tem- 
poral and spiritual, was vested in Frederick Rappe, the elder, who 
was regarded as the founder of the society. By the year 1821 the 
society numbered about 900. Every individual of proper age con- 
tributed his proper share of labor. There were neither spendthrifts, 
idlers nor drunkards, and during the whole 17 years of their sojourn 
in America there was not a single lawsuit among them. Every 
controversy arising among them was settled by arbitration, expla- 
nation and compromise before sunset of the day, literally according 
to the injunction of the apostle of the New Testament. 

About 1825 the town of Harmony and a considerable quantity 
of land adjoining was sold to Robert Owen, father of David Dale 
Owen, the State Geologist, and of Robert Dale Owen, of later 
notoriet}'. He was a radical philosopher from Scotland, who had 
become distinguished for his philanthropy and opposition to 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 135 

Christianity. He charged the latter with teaching false notions 
regarding human responsibility — notions which have since been 
clothed in the language of physiology, mental philosophy, etc. 
Said he: 

" That which has hitherto been called wickedness in our fellow 
men has proceeded from one of two distinct causes, or from some 
combination of those causes. They are what are termed bad or 
wicked, 

" 1. Because they are born with faculties or propensities which 
render them more liable, under the same circumstances, than other 
men, to commit such actions as are usually denominated wicked; 
or, 

" 2. Because they have been placed by birth or other events in 
particular countries, — have been influenced from infancy by par- 
ents, playmates and others, and have been surrounded by those 
circumstances which gradually and necessarily trained them in the 
habits and sentiments called wicked; or, 

" 3. They have become wicked in consequence of some particu- 
lar combination of these causes. 

" If it should be asked. Whence then has wickedness pro- 
ceeded ? I reply, Solely from the ignorance of our forefathers. 

" Every society which exists at present, as well as every society 
which history records, has been formed and governed on a belief 
in the following notions, assumed as first principles: 

" 1. That it is in the power of every individual to form his own 
character. Hence the various systems called by the name of religion, 
codes of law, and punishments; hence, also, the angry passions 
entertained by individuals and nations toward each other. 

" 2. That the aflfections are at the command of the individual. 
Hence insincerity and degradation of character; hence the miseries 
of domestic life, and more than one-half of all the crimes of man- 
kind. 

" 3. That it is necessary a large portion of mankind should ex- 
ist in ignorance and poverty in order to secure to the remaining part 
such a degree of happiness as they now enjoy. Hence a system of 
counteraction in the pursuits of men, a general opposition among 
individuals to the interests of each other, and the necessary effects 
of such a system, — ignorance, poverty and vice. 



THE MEXICAN WAK. 

DuriDg the administration of Gov. Whitcomb the war with 
Mexico occurred, which resulted in annexing to the United States 
vast tracts of land in the south and west. Indiana contributed her 
full ratio to the troops in that war, and with a remarkable spirit of 
promptness and patriotism adopted all measures to sustain the gen- 
eral Government. These new acquisitions of territory i-e-opened 
the discussion of the slavery question, and Governor Whitcomb 
expressed his opposition to a further extension of the " national 
sin." 

The causes which led to a declaration of war against Mexico in 
1846, must be sought for as far back as the year 1830, when the 
present State of Texas formed a province of New and Independent 
Mexico. During the years immediately preceding 1830, Moses 
Austin, of Connecticut, obtained a liberal grant of lands from the 
established Government, and on his death his son was treated in an 
equally liberal manner. The glowing accounts rendered by Aus- 
tin, and the vivid picture of Elysian fields drawn by visiting jour- 
nalists, soon resulted in the influx of a large tide of immigrants, 
nor did the movement to the Southwest cease until 1830. The 
Mexican province held a prosperous population, comprising 10,000 
American citizens. The rapacious Government of the Mexicans 
looked with greed and jealousy upon their eastern province, and, 
under the presidency of Gen. Santa Anna, enacted such measures, 
both unjust and oppressive, as would meet their design of goading 
the people of Texas on to revolution, and thus afford an opportu- 
nity for the infliction of punishment upon subjects whose only 
crime was industry and its accompaniment, prosperity. Precisely 
in keeping with the course pursued by the British toward the col- 
onists of the Eastern States in the last century, Santa Anna's 
Government met the remonstrances of the colonists of Texas with 
threats; and they, secure in their consciousness of right quietly 
issued their declaration of independence, and proved its literal 
meaning on the field of Gonzales in 1835, having with a force of 

(136) 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 137 

500 men forced the Mexican army of 1,000 to fly for refu^^e to tlieir 
strongholds. Battle after battle followed, bringing victory always 
to the Colonists, and ultimately resulting in ihe total rout of the 
Mexican army and the evacuation of Texas. The routed army 
after a short term of rest reorganized, and reappeared in the Terri- 
tory, 8,000 strong. On April 21, a division of this large force 
under Santa Anna encountered the Texans under General Samuel 
Houston on the banks of the San Jacinto, and though Houston 
could only oppose 800 men to the Mexican legions, the latter were 
driven from the field,nor could they reform their scattered ranks until 
their General was captured next day and forced to sign the declaration 
of 1835. The signature of Santa Anna, though ignored by the 
Congress of the Mexican Eepublic, and consequently left unratified 
on the part of Mexico, was effected in so much, that after the sec- 
ond defeat of the army of that Republic all the hostilities of an 
important nature ceased, the Republic of Texas was recognized by 
the powers, and subsequently became an integral part of the United 
States, July i, 1846. At this period General Herrera was pres- 
ident of Mexico. He was a man of peace, of common sense, and 
very patriotic; and he thus entertained, or pretended to enter- 
tain, the great neighboring Republic in high esteem. For this 
reason he grew unpopular with his people, and General Paredes 
was called to the presidential chair, which he continued to occupy 
until the breaking out of actual hostilities with the United States, 
when Gen. Santa Anna was elected thereto. 

President Pclk, aware of the state of feeling in Mexico, ordered 
Gen, Zachary Taylor, in command of the troops in the Southwest, to 
proceed to Texas, and post himself as near to the Mexican border 
as he deemed prudent. At the same time an American squadron was 
dispatched to the vicinity, in the Gulf of Mexico. In. November, 
Genera] Taylor had taken his position at Corpus Christi, a Texan 
settlement on a bay of the same name, with about 4,000 men. On 
the 13th of January, 1846, the President ordered him to advance 
with his forces to the Rio Grande; accordingly he proceeded, and 
in March stationed himself on the north bank of that river, with- 
in cannon-shot of the Mexican town of Matamoras. Here he 
hastily erected a fortress, called Fort Brown. The territory ly- 
ing between the river Nueces and the Rio Grande river, about 
120 miles in width, was claimed both by Texas and Mexico; ac- 
cording to the latter, therefore, General Taylor had actually 
invaded^ her Territory, and had thus committed an open 



138 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

act of war. On the 26th of April, the Mexican General, Ampudia, 
gave notice to this effect to General Taylor, and on the same day a 
party of American dragoons, sixty-three in number, being on the 
north side of the Rio Grande, were attacked, and, after the loss of 
sixteen men killed and wounded, were forced to surrender. Their 
commander. Captain Thornton, only escaped. The Mexican forces 
bad now crossed the river above Matamoras and were supposed to 
meditate an attack on Point Isabel, where Taylor had established a 
depot of supplies for his array. On the 1st of May, this officer left 
a small number of troops at Fort Brown, and marched with his 
chief forces, twenty-three hundred men, to the defense of Point 
Isabel. Having garrisoned this place, he set out on his return. 
On the 8th of May, about noon, he met the Mexican army, six 
thousand strong, drawn up in battle array, on the prairie near Palo 
Alto. The Americans at once advanced to the attack, and, after an 
action of five hours, in which their artillery was very eftective, 
drove the enemy before them, and encamped upon the field. The 
Mexican loss was about one hundred killed; that ot the Americans, 
four killed and forty wounded. Major Ringgold, of the artillery, 
an oflicer of great merit, was mortally wounded. The next day, as 
the Americans advanced, they again met the enemy in a strong 
position near Resaca de la Palma, three miles from Fort Brown. 
An action commenced, and was fiercely contested, the artillery on 
both sides being served with great vigor. At last the Mexicans 
gave way, and fled in confusion. General de la Yega having fallen 
into the hands of' the Americans. They also abandoned their guns 
and a large quantity of ammunition to the victors. The remain- 
ing Mexican soldiers speedily crossed the Rio Grande, and the next 
day the Americans took up their position at Fort Brown. This 
little fort, in the absence of General Taylor, had gallantly sustained 
an almost uninterrupted attack of several days from the Mexican 
batteries of Matamoras. 

When the news of the capture of Captain Thornton's party was 
spread over the United States, it produced great excitement. The 
President addressed a message to Congress, then in session, declar- 
ing " that war with Mexico existed by her own act;" and that body, 
May, 1846, placed ten millions of dollars at the President's dispo- 
sal, and authorized him to accept the services of fifty thousand 
volunteers. A great part of the summer of 1846 was spent in prep- 
aration for the war, it being resolved to invade Mexico at several 
points. In pursuance of this plan. General Taylor, who had taken 



139 

HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



possession of Matamovas, abandoned by the enemy in May, marcbed 
nortlnvard in the enemy's conntry in August, and on - Wth of 
September he appeared before Monterey, capital of the Mexican 

S of New Leon. His army, after ^^^^-"'>^ f^^^XeTull 
places along his route, amounted to six thousand men. The attack 
Can on fhe 21st, and after a succession of assaults, during t^e 
period of four days, the Mexicans capitulated, leaving he town 
f„ possession of the Americans. In October, General Taylor 
terminated an armistice into which he had entered with the 
Mexican General, and again commenced offensive opera lons 
Various towns and fortresses of the enemy "O-./^^J^ ff „;"'" 
our possession. In November, SaltlUo, the capital ot the Sate 
of Coabuila was occupied by the division of General Worth 
in December, General Patterson took possession of Yictona, 
the capital of Tamaulipas, and nearly at the '-""^ P«"°?; 
Commodore Perry captured the fort of Tampico. SanU F^ 
the capital of New Mexico, with the whole territory of the State 
had been subjugated by General Harney, after a march of one 
ttousand nnles°through the wilderness. Events of a startling char^ 
acter had taken place at still earlier dates along the Pacific coast. On 
the 4th of Julv, Captain Fremont, having repeatedly defeated sa- 
perior Mexican forces with the small band under his command de- 
clared California independent of Mexico. Other important places 
in this region had yielded to the A.nerican naval force, and in Au- 
gust, 1846, the whole of California was in the undisputed oecupa- 
tion of the Americans. ^ . 

The year 1847 opened with still more brilliant victories on the 
part of our armies. By the drawing off of a large part of 
General Taylor's troops for a meditated attack on Vera Cruz, he 
was left with a comparatively small force to meet the great body of 
Mexican troops, now marching upon him, under command of the 
celebrated Santa Anna, who had again become President ot Mexico. 
Ascertaining the advance of this powerful arniy, twenty thou- 
sand strong, and consisting of the best of the Mexican soldiers, 
General Taylor took up his position at Bueua Vista, a valley a few 
miles from Saltillo. His whole troops numbered only four thousand 
seven liundred and fifty-nine, and here, on the 23d ot February, he 
was vigorously attacked by the Mexicans. The battle was very 
severetand continued nearly the whole day, when the Mexicans fled 
from the field in disorder, with a loss of nearly two thousand men 
Santa Anna speedily withdrew, and thus abandoned the region ot 



140 IIr^TORY OF INl^ANA. 

the Rio Grande to the coinj)lete oc'cupati.>ii of our tro()]is. This left 
our forces at liberty to prosecute the grand enterprise of the cam- 
paign, the capture of the strong town of Vera Cruz, with its re- 
nowned castle of San Juan d'UUoa. On the Otii of March, 1S47, 
General Scott landed near the city with an army of twelve thousand 
men, and on the 18th commenced an attack. For four days and 
nights an almost mcessant shower of shot and shells was poured 
upon the devoted town, while the batteries of the castle and the city 
replied with terrible energy. At last, as the A.mericans were pre- 
paring for an assault, the Governor of the city offered to surrender, 
and on the 26th the x\merican flag floated triumphantly from the 
walls of the castle and the city. General Scott now prepared to 
march upon the city of Mexico, the capital of the country, situated 
two hundred miles in the interior, and approached only through a 
series of rugged passes and mountain fastnesses, rendered still more 
formidable by several strong fortresses. On the 8th of April tlie 
army commenced their march. At Cerro Gordo, Santa Anna had 
posted himself with fifteen thousand men. On the 18th the Amer- 
icans began the daring attack, and by midday every intrenchment 
of the enemy had been carried. The loss of the Mexicans in this 
remarkable battle, besides one thousand killed and wounded, was 
three thousand prisoners, forty-three pieces of cannon, five 
thousand stand of arms, and all their amunitions and mate- 
rials of war. The loss of the Americans was four hundred 
and thirty -one in killed and wounded. The next day our forces 
advanced, and, capturing fortress after fortress, came on the 
18th of August within ten miles of Mexico, a city of two hun- 
dred thousand inhabitants, and situated in one of the most 
beautiful valleys in the world. On the 20th they attacked and 
carried the strong batteries of Contreras, garrisoned by 7,000 men, 
in an impetuous assault, which lasted but seventeen minutes. On 
the same day an attack was made by the Americans on the fortified 
post of Churubusco, four miles northeast of Contreras. Here 
nearly the entire Mexican army — more than 20,000 in number — 
were posted; but they were defeated at every point, and obliged to 
seek a retreat in the city, or the still remaining fortress of Chapul- 
tepec. While preparations were being made on the 21st by Gen- 
eral Scott, to level his batteries against the city, prior to summon- 
ing it to surrender, he received propositions from the enemy, which 
terminated in an armistice. This ceased on the 7th of September. 
On the 8th the outer defense of Chapul tepee was successfully 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



141 



stormed by General Worth, though he lost one-fourth of his men 
in the desperate stru<^gle. The castle of Chapul tepee, situated on 
an abrupt and rocky eminence, 150 feet above the surrounding 
country, presented a most formidable object of attack. On the 
12th, however, the batteries were opened against it, and on the 
next day the citadel was carried by storm. The Mexicans still strug- 
gled along the great causeway leading to the city, as the Americans 
advanced, but ])efore nightfal a part of our army was within the 
gates of the city. Santa Anna and the officers of the Government 
fled, and the next morning, at seven o'clock, the flag of the Ameri- 
cans floated from the national palace of JVfexico. This conquest of 
the capital was the great and final achievement of the war. The 
Mexican republic was in fact prostrate, her sea-coast and chief 
cities being in the occupation of our troops. On the 2d of Feb- 
ruary, 184S, terras of peace were agreed upon by the American 
commissioner and the Mexican Government, this treaty being rati- 
fied by the Mexican Congress on the 30tli ot May following, and 
by the United States soon after. President Polk proclaimed peace 
on the 4th of July, 1848. In the preceding sketch we have given 
only a mere outline of the war with Mexico. We have necessarily 
passed over many interesting events, and have not even named 
many of our soldiers who performed gallant and important ser- 
vices. General Taylor's successful operations in the region of the 
Rio Grande were duly honored by the people of the United States, 
by bestowing upon him the Presidency. General Scott's campaign, 
from the attack on Yera Cruz, to the surrender of the city of 
Mexico, was far more remarkable, and, in a military point of view, 
must be considered as one of the most brilliant of modern times. It 
is true the Mexicans are not to be ranked with the great nations of 
the earth; with a population of seven or eight millions, they have 
little more than a million of the white race, the rest being half-civ- 
ilized Indians and mestizos, that is, those of mixed blood. Their 
government is inefficient, and the people divided among them- 
selves. Their soldiers often fought bravely, but they were badly 
officered. While, therefore, we may consider the conquest of so 
extensive and populous a country, in so short a time, and attended 
with such constant superiority even to the greater numbers of the 
enemy, as highly gratifying evidence of the courage and capacity 
ot our army, still we must not, in judging of our achievements, fail 
to consider the real weakness of the nation whom we vanquished. 



142 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

One thing we may certainly dwell upon with satisfaction — the ad- 
mirable example, not only as a soldier, but as a man, set by our com- 
mander, Gen. Scott, who seems, in the midst of war and the ordinary 
license of the camp, always- to have preserved the virtue, kindness, 
and humanity belonging to a state of peace. These qualities 
secured to him the respect, confidence and good-will even of the 
enemy he had conquered. Among the Generals who efiectually 
aided General Scott in this remarkable campaign, we must not 
omit to mention the names of Generals Wool, Twiggs, Shields, 
Worth, Smith, and Quitman, who generally added to the high 
qualities of soldiers the still more estimable characteristics of 
good men. The treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo stipulated that the 
disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande should 
belong to the United States, and it now forms a part of Texas, as 
has been already stated; that the United States should assume and 
pay the debts due from Mexico to American citizens, to the amount 
of $3,500,000; and that, in consideration of the sum of $15,000,000 
to be paid by the United States to Mexico, the latter should 
relinquish to the former the whole of New Mexico and Upper 
California. 

The soldiers of Indiana who served in this war were formed into 
five regiments of volunteers, numbered respectively, 1st, 2d, 3rd, 
4th and 5th. The fact that companies of the three first-named reg- 
iments served at times with the men of Illinois, the New York 
volunteers, the Palmettos of South Carolina, and United States 
marines, under Gen. James Shields, makes for them a history; be- 
cause the campaigns of the Rio Grande and Chihuahua, the siege 
of Vera Cruz, the desperate encouater at Cerro Gordo, the tragic 
contests in the valley, at Contreras and Churubusco, the storming 
of Chapultepec, and the planting of the stars and stripes upon 
every turret and spire within the conquered city of Mexico, were 
all carried out by the gallant troops under the favorite old General, 
and consequently each of them shared with him in the glories at- 
tached to such exploits. ^The other regiments under Cols. Gorman 
and Lane partidpatedin the contests of the period under other com- 
manders. The 4th Begiment of Indiana Volunteers, comprising 
tea compames, was formally organized at Jeffersonville, Indiana, 
by Oapt, it C. Gatlin, June 15, 1847, and on the 16th elected 
Major Willis A. Gorman, of the 3rd Regiment, to the Colonelcy; 
Ebeuezer Dumont, Lieutenant-Colonel, and W. McCoy, Major. On 
the 27th of Juno the regiment ^left Jeffersonville for the front, and 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



143 



subsequently was assigned to Brigadier-General Lane's command, 
which then comprised a battery of five pieces from the 3rd Regi- 
ment U. S. Artillery; a battery of two pieces from the 2nd Regiment 
U. S. Rrtillery, the 4th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers and the 4th 
Regiment of Ohio, with a squadron of mounted Louisianians and 
detachments of recruits for the U. S. array. The troops of this 
brigade won signal honors at Passo de Ovegas, August 10, 1847; 
National Bridge, on the 12th; Cerro Gordo, on the 15th; Las Ani- 
mas, on the 19th, under Maj. F. T. Lally, of General Lane's staff, 
and afterward under Lane, directly, took a very prominent part in 
the siege of Puebla, which began on the 15th of September and 
terminated on the 12th of October. At Atlixco, October 19th; 
Tlascala, Kovember 10th; Matamoras and Pass Galajara, Novem- 
ber 23rd and 24th; Guerrilla Ranche, December 5th; Napaloncan, 
December 10th, the Indiana volunteers of the 4th Regiment per- 
formed gallant service, and carried the campaign into the following 
year, representing their State at St. Martin's, February 27, 1848; 
Cholula, March 26th; Matacordera, February i9th; Sequalteplan, 
February 25th; and on the cessation of hostilities reported at 
Madison, Indiana, for discharge, July 11, 1848; while the 5tb In- 
diana Regiment, under Col. J. H. Lane, underwent a similar round 
of duty during its service with other brigades, and gained some 
celebrity at Vera Cruz, Churubusco and with the troops of Illinois 
under Gen. Shields at Chapultepec. 

This war cost the people of the United States sixty-six millions 
of dollars. This very large amount was not paid away for the at- 
tainment of mere glory; there was something else at stake, and 
this something proved to be a country larger and more fertile than 
the France of the Napoleons, and more steady and sensible than 
the France of the Republic. It was the defense of the great Lone 
Star State, the humiliation and chastisement of a quarrelsome 
neighbor. 



SLAVEKY. 

We have already referred to the prohibition of slavery in the 
Northwestern Territory, and Indiana Territory by the ordinance of 
1787; to the imperfection in the execution of this ordinance and the 
troubles which the authorities encountered; and the complete estab- 
lishment of the principles of freedom on the organization of the State. 
The next item of significance in this connection is the following lan- 
guage in the message of Gov. Ra} to the Legislature of 1828 : " Since 
our last separation, while we have witnessed with anxious solicitude 
the belligerent operations of another hemisphere, the cross contend- 
ing against the crescent, and the prospect of a general rupture among 
the legitimates of other quarters of the globe, our attention has 
been arrested by proceedings in our own country truly dangerous 
to liberty, seriously premeditated, and disgraceful to its authors 
if agitated only to tamper with the American people. If such ex- 
periments as we see attempted in certain deluded quarters do not 
fall with a burst of thunder upon the heads of their seditious pro- 
jectors, then indeed the Kepublic has begun to experience the days 
t>f its degeneracy. The union of these States is the people's only 
sure charter for their liberties and independence. Dissolve it and 
each State will soon be in a condition as deplorable as Alexander's 
conquered countries after they were divided amongst his victorious 
piilitary captains." 

In pursuance of a joint resolution of the Legislature of 1850, a 
block of native marble was procured and forwarded to Washington, 
to be placed in the monument then in the course of erection at the 
National Capital in memory of George Washington. In the 
absence of any legislative instruction concerning the inscription 
upon this emblem of Indiana's loyalty. Gov. Wright ordered the 
following words to be inscribed upon it: Indiana Knows No 
North, No South, Nothing but the Union. Within a dozen 
years thereafter this noble State demonstrated to the world her loy- 
alty to the Union and the principles of freedom by the sacrifice of 
blood and treasure which she made. In keeping with this senti- 
ment Gov. Wright indorsed the compromise measures of Congress 
on the slavery question, remarking in his message that " Indiana 
takes her stand in the ranks, not of Southern destiny, nor yet of 

(144) 




SCENE ON THE WABASH RIVER. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 147 

Northern destiny: she plants herself on the basis of the Consti- 
tution and takes her stand in the ranks of American destiny." 

FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT. 

At the session of the Legislature in January, 1869, the subject 
of ratifying the fifteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution, 
allowing negro suffrage, came up with such persistency that neither 
party dared to undertake any other business lest it be checkmated 
in some way, and being at a dead lock on this matter, they adjourn- 
ed in March without having done much important business. The 
Democrats, as well as a portion of the conservative Republicans, 
opposed its consideration strongly on the ground that it would be 
unfair to vote on the question until the people of the State had had 
an opportunity of expressing their views at the polls; but most of 
the Republicans resolved to push the measure through, while the 
Democrats resolved to resign in a body and leave the Legislature 
without a quorum. Accordingly, on March 4, 17 Senators and 36 
Representatives resigned, leaving both houses without a quorum. 

As the early adjournment of the Legislature left the benevolent 
institutions of the State unprovided for, the Governor convened 
that body in extra session as soon as possible, and after the neces- 
sary appropriations were made, on the 19th of May the fifteenth 
amendment came up; but in anticipation of this the Democratic 
members had all resigned and claimed that there was no quorum 
present. There was a quorum, however, of Senators in office, 
though some of them refused to vote, declaring that they were no 
longer Senators ; but the president of that body decided that as he 
had not been informed of their resignation by the Governor, they 
were still members. A vote was taken and the ratifying resolution 
was adopted. When the resolution came up in the House, the 
chair decided that, although the Democratic members had resigned 
there was a quorum of the de-facto members present, and the 
House proceeded to pass the resolution. This decision of the chair 
was afterward sustained by the Supreme Court. 

At the next regular session of the Legislature, in 1871, the 
Democrats undertook to repeal the ratification, and the Republican 
members resigned to prevent it. The Democrats, as the Republi- 
cans did on the previous occasion, proceeded to pass their resolu- 
tion of repeal; but while the process was under way, before the 
House Committee had time to report on the matter, 34 Republican 
members resigned, thereby preventing its passage and putting a 
stop to further legislation. 



INDIANA IN THE WAR. 

The events of the earlier years of this State have been reviewed 
down to that period in the nation's history when the Republic de- 
manded a first sacrifice from the newly erected States; to the time 
when the very safety of the glorious heritage, bequeathed by the 
fathers as a rich legacy, was threatened with a fate worse than death 
— a life under laws that harbored the slave— a civil defiance of the 
first principles of the Constitution. 

Indiana was among the first to respond to the summons of patri- 
otism, and register itself on the national roll of honor, even as she 
was among the first to join in that song of joy which greeted a Re- 
public made doubly glorious within a century by the dual victory 
which won liberty for itself, and next bestowed the precious boon 
upon the colored slave. 

The fall of Fort Sumter was a signal for the uprising of the State, 
The news of the calamity was flashed to Indianapolis on the 14th of 
April, 1861, and early the next morning the electric wire brought 
the welcome message to Washington: — 

Executive Department of Indiana, ) 
Indianapolis, April 15, 1861. | 
To A3RAHAM LiNCOZiN, President of the United States •.—On behalf of the State 
of Indiana. I tender to you for the defense of the Nation, and to uphold the au- 
thority of the Government, ten thousand men. 

OLIVER P. MORTON, 
Governor of Indiana. 

This may be considered the first oflScial act of Governor Morton, 
who had just entered on the duties of his exalted position. The 
State was in an almost helpless condition, and yet the faith of the 
" War Governor " was prophetic, when, after a short consultation 
with the members of the Executive Council, he relied on the fidelity 
of ten thousand men and promised their services to the Protectorate 
at Washington. This will be more apparent when the military 
condition of the State at the beginning of 1861 is considered. At 
that time the armories contained less than five hundred stand of 
serviceable small arms, eight pieces of cannon which might be use- 
ful in a museum of antiquities, with sundry weapons which would 
merely do credit to the aborigines of one hundred years ago. The 
financial condition of the State was even worse than the military. 

(148) 



HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 140 

The sum of $10,368.58 in trust funds was the amount of cash in the 
hands of the Treasurer, and this was, to all intents and purposes 
unavailable to meet the emergency, since it could not be devoted 
to the military requirements of the day. This state of affairs was 
dispiriting in the extreme, and would doubtless have militated 
against the ultimate success of any other man than Morton; yet 
he overleaped every difficulty, nor did the fearful realization of 
Floyd's treason, discovered during his visit to Washington, damp 
his indomitable courage and energy, but with rare persistence he 
urged the claims of his State, and for his exertions was requited 
with an order for five thousand muskets. The order was not exe- 
cuted until hostilities were actually entered upon, and consequently 
for some days succeeding the publication of the President's procla- 
mation the people labored under a feeling of terrible anxiety min- 
gled with uncertainty, amid the confusion which followed the crim- 
inal negligence that permitted the disbandraent of the magnificent 
corps d: armee (51,000 men) of 1832 two years later in 1834, Great 
numbers of the people maintained their equanamity with the result 
of beholding within a brief space of time every square mile of their 
State represented by soldiers prepared to fight to the bitter end in 
defense of cherished institutions, and for the extension of the prin. 
ciple of human liberty to all States and classes within the limits of 
the threatened Union. This, their zeal, was not animated by hos- 
tihty to the slave holders of the Southern States, but rather by a 
fraternal spirit, akin to that which urges the eldest brother to cor- 
rect the persistent follies of his juniors, and thus lead them from 
crime to the maintenance of family honor; in this correction, to 
draw them away from all that was cruel, diabolical and inhuman in 
the Republic, to all that is gentle, holy and sublime therein. Many 
of the raw troops were not only unimated by a patriotic feeling, 
but also by that beautiful idealization of the poet, who in his un- 
conscious Eepublicanism, said: 

" I would not have a slave to till my ground, 
To carry me, to fan me while I sleep, 
And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth 
That sinews bought and sold have ever earned 
No: dear as freedom is— and, in my heart's 

Just estimation, prized above all price 

I had much rather be myself the slave, 
And wear the bonds, than fasten them on him." 
Thus animated, it is not a matter for surprise to find the first 
call to arms issued by the President, and calling for 75,000 men, 



150 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

answered nobly by the people of Indiana. The quota of troops to 
be furnished by the State on the first call was 4,683 men for three 
years' service from April 15, 1860. On the 16th of April, Gov- 
ernor Morton issued his proclamation calling on all citizens of the 
State, who had the welfare of the Republic at heart, to organize 
themselves into six regiments in defense of their rights, and in 
opposition to the varied acts of rebellion, charged by him against 
the Southern Confederates. To this end, the Hon. Lewis Wallace, 
a soldier of the Mexican campaign was appointed Adjutant-General, 
Col. Thomas A. Morris of the United States Military Academy, 
Quartermaster-General, and Isaiah Mansur, a merchant of Indian- 
apolis, Commissary-General. These general officers converted the 
grounds and buildings of the State Board of Agriculture into a 
military headquarters, and designated the position Camp Morton, 
as the beginning of the many honors which were to follow the pop- 
ular Governor throughout his future career. Now the people, im- 
bued with confidence in their Government and leaders, rose to the 
grandeur of American freemen, and with an enthusiasm never 
equaled hitherto, flocked to the standard of the nation ; so that 
within a few days (19th April) 2,400 men were ranked beneath 
their regimental banners, until as the official report testifies, the 
anxious question, passing from mouth to mouth, was, " "Which of 
us will be allowed to go? " It seemed as if Indiana was about to 
monopolize the honors of the period, and place the 75.000 men 
demanded of the Union by the President, at his disposition. Even 
now under the genial sway of guaranteed peace, the features of 
Indiana's veterans- flush with righteous pride when these days — re- 
membrances of heroic sacrifice — are named, and freemen, still un- 
born, will read their history only to be blessed and glorified in the 
possession of such truly, noble progenitors. Nor were the ladies 
of the State unmindful of their duties. Everywhere they partook 
of the general enthusiasm, and made it practical so far as in their 
power, by embroidering and presenting standards and regimental 
colors, organizing aid and relief, societies, and by many other acts 
of patriotism and humanity inherent in the high nature of woman. 
During the days set apart by the military authorities for the or- 
ganization of the regiments, the financiers of the State were en- 
gaged in the reception of munificent grants of money from pri- 
vate citizens, while the money merchants within and without the 
State ofiered large loans to the recognized Legislature without even 
imposing a condition of payment. This most practical generosity 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 161 

strengthened trie bauds of the Executive, and within a very few days 
Indiana had passed the crucial test, recovered some of her military 
prestige lost in 1834, and so was prepared to vie with the other 
and wealthier States in making sacrifices for the public welfare. 

On the 20th of April, Messrs, I. S. Dobbs and Alvis D. Gall re- 
ceived their appointments as Medical Inspectors of the Division, 
while Major T. J. Wood arrived at headquarters from Washington 
to receive the newly organized regiments into the service of the 
Union. At the moment this formal proceeding took place, Morton, 
unable to restrain the patriotic ardor of the people, telegraphed to 
the capitol that he could place six regiments of infantry at the dis- 
posal of the General Government within six days, if such a pro- 
ceeding were acceptable; but in consequence of the wires being cut 
between the State and Federal capitols, no answer came. Taking 
advantage of the little doubt which may have had existence in re- 
gard to future action in the matter and in the absence of general 
orders, he gave expression to an intention of placing the volunteers 
in camp, and in his message to the Legislature, who assembled three 
days later, he clearly laid down the principle of immediate action 
and strong measures, recommending a note of $1,000,000 for there- 
organization of the volunteers, for the purchase of arms and supplies, 
and for the Dunishment of treason. The message was received most 
enthusiastically. The assembly recognized the great points made 
by the Governor, and not only yielded to them in toto, but also made 
the following grand appropriations: 

General military purposes $1,000,000 

Purchase of arms 500,000 

Contingent military expenses 100,000 

Organization and support of militia for two years 140,000 

These appropriations, together with the laws enacted during the 
session of the Assembly, speak for the men of Indiana. The celerity 
with which these laws were put in force, thedillgince and economy 
exercised by the officers, entrusted with their administration, and 
that systematic genius, under which all the machinery of Govern- 
ment seemed to work in harmony, — all, all, tended to make for the 
State a spring-time of noble deeds, when seeds might be cast along 
her fertile fields and in the streets of her villages of industry to 
grow up at once and blossom in the ray of fame, and after to bloom 
throughout the ages. Within three days after the opening of the 
extra session of the Legislature (27th April) six new regiments were 
organized, and commissioned for three months' service. These reg- 



152 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



iments, notwithstanding the fact that the first six regiments were 
already mustered into the general service, were known as "The 
First Brigade, Indiana Volunteers," and with the simple object of 
making the way of the future student of a brilliant history clear, 
were numbered respectively 

Sixth Kegiment, commanded by Col. T. T. Crittenden. 

Seventh " " " " Ebenezer Dumont. 

Eighth " " " " W. P. Benton. 

Ninth " " " " R. H. Milroy. 

Tenth " " " " T. T. Reynolds. 

Eleventh ^' " " " Lewis Wallace. 

The idea of these numbers was suggested by the fact that the 
military representation of Indiana in the Mexican Campaign was 
one brigade of five regiments, and to observe consecutiveness the 
regiments comprised in the first division of volunteers were thus 
numbered, and the entire force placed under Brigadier General T. 
A. Morris, with the following stafi": John Love, Major; Cyrus C- 
Hines, Aid-de-camp; and J. A. Stein, Assistant Adjutant General. 
To follow the fortunes .of these volunteers through all the vicissi- 
tudes of war would prove a special work; yet their valor and endur- 
ance during their first term of service deserved a notice of even more 
value than that of the historian, since a commander's opinion has 
to be taken as the basis upon which the chronicler may expatiate. 
Therefore the following dispatch, dated from the headquarters of the 
Army of Occupation, Beverly Camp, W. Virginia, July 21, 1861, 
must be taken as one of the first evidences of their utility and 
valor: — 

"Governor O. P. Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Governor :— I have directed the three months' regiments from Indiana to 
move to Indianapolis, there to be mustered out and reorganized for three years' 
service. 

I cannot permit them to return to you without again expressing my high 
appreciation of the distinguished valor and endurance of the Indiana troops, and 
my hope that but a short time will elapse before I have the pleasure of knowing 
that they are again ready for the field. ******* 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
George B. McClellan, 
Major- General, U. 8- A, 

On the return of the troops to Indianapolis, July 29, Brigadier 
Morris issued a lengthy, logical and well-deserved congratulatory 
address, from which one paragraph may be extracted to characterize 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 153 

the wHole. After passing a glowing eulogium on their military 
qualities and on that unexcelled gallantry displayed at Laurel Hill, 
Phillipi and Carrick's Ford, he says: — 

'' Soldiers ! You have now returned to the friends whose prayers went with you 
to the field of strife. They welcome you with pride and exultation. Your State 
and country acknowledge the value of your lahors. May your future career be as 
your past has been, — honorable to yourselves and serviceable to your country." 

The six regiments forming Morris' brigade, together with one 
composed of the surplus volunteers, for whom there was no regi- 
ment in April, now formed a division of seven regiments, all reor- 
ganized for three years' service, between the 20th August and 20th 
September, with the exception of the new or 12th, which was ac- 
cepted for one year's service from May 11th, under command of 
Colonel John M. Wallace, and reorganized May 17, 1862, for three 
years' service under Col. W. H. Link, who, with 172 officers and 
men, received their mortal wounds during the Richmond (Ken- 
tucky) engagement, three months after its reorganization. 

The 13th Eegiment, under Col. Jeremiah Sullivan, was mus- 
tered into the United States in 1861 and joined Gen. McClellan's 
command at Rich Mountain on the 10th July. The day following it 
was present under Gen. Rosencrans and lost eight men killed; three 
successive dsijs it was engaged under Gen. I. I. Reynolds, and won 
its laurels at Cheat Mountain summit, where it participated in the 
decisive victory over Gen. Lee. 

The 14th Regiment, organized in 1861 for one year's service, and 
reorganized on the 7th of June at Terre Haute for three years' ser- 
vice. Commanded by Col. Kimball and showing a muster roll of 
1,134 men, it was one of the finest, as it was the first, three years' 
regiment organized in the State, with varying fortunes attached to 
its never ending round of duty from Cheat Mountain, September, 
1861, to Morton's Ford in 1864, and during the movement South in 
May of that year to the last of its labors, the battle of Cold Har- 
bor. 

The 15th Regiment, reorganized at La Fayette 14th June, 1861, 
under Col. G. D. Wagner, moved on Rich Mountain on the 11th 
of July in time to participate in the complete rout of the enemy. 
On the promotion of Col. Wagner, Lieutenant-Col. G. A. Wood 
became Colonel of the regiment, November, 1862, and during the 
first days of January, 1863, took a distinguished part in the severe 
action of Stone River. From this period down to the battle of Mis- 
sion Ridge it was in a series of destructive engagements, and was. 



154 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

after enduring terrible hardships, ordered to Chattanooga, and 
thence to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out the 18th June, 
1864, — four days after the expiration of its term of service. 

The 16th Regiment, organized under Col. P. A.- Hackleman at 
Kichraond for one year's service, after participating in many minor 
military events, was mustered out at Washington, D.C., on the 14th 
of May, 1862. Col. Hackleman was killed at the battle of luka, 
and Lieutenant-Col. Thomas I. Lucas succeeded to the command. 
It was reorganized at Indianapolis for three years' service. May 27, 
1862, and took a conspicuous part in all the brilliant engagements 
of the war down to June, 1865, when it was mustered out at New 
Orleans. The survivors, numbering 365 rank and file, returned to 
Indianapolis the 10th of July amid the rejoicing of the populace. 

The 17th Regiment was mustered into service at Indianapolis 
the 12th of June, 1861, for three years, under Col. Hascall, who 
on being promoted Brigadier General in March, 1862, left the 
Colonelcy to devolve on Lieutenant Colonel John T. Wilder. This 
regiment participated in the many exploits of Gen. Reynold's army 
from Green Brier in 1862, to Macon in 1865, under Gen. Wilson. 
Returning to Indianapolis the 16th of August, in possession of a 
brilliant record, the regiment was disbanded. 

The 18th Regiment, under Colonel Thomas Pattison, was organ- 
ized at Indianapolis, and mustered into service on the 16th of 
August, 1861. Under Gen. Pope it gained some distinction at 
Blackwater, and succeeded in retaining a reputation made there, 
by its gallantry at Pea Ridge, February, 1862, down to the moment 
when it planted* the regimental flag on the arsenal of Augusta, 
Georgia, where it was disbanded August 28, 1865. 

The 19th Regiment, mustered into three years' service at the 
State capital July 29, 1861, was ordered to join the army of the 
Potomac, and reported its arrival at Washington, August 9. Two 
days later it took part in the battle of Lewinsville, under Colonel 
Solomon Meredith. Occupying Falls Church in September, 1861, 
it continued to maintain a most enviable place of honor on the 
military roll until its consolidation with the 20th Regiment, October, 
1864, under Colonel William Orr, formerly its Lieutenant Colonel. 

The 20th Regiment of La Fayette was organized in July, 1861, 
mustered into three years' service at Indianapolis on the 22d of the 
same month, and reached the front at Cockeysville, Maryland, 
twelve days later. Throughout ail its brilliant actions from Hat- 
teras Bank, on the 4th of October, to Clover Hill, 9th of April, 1865, 



HISTORY OF INDIANA.. 155 

including the saving of the United States ship Congress^ at New- 
port News, it added daily some new name to its escutcheon. This 
regiment was mustered out at Louisville in July, 1865, and return- 
ing to Indianapolis was welcomed by the great war Governor of 
their State. 

The 21sT Kegiment was mustered into service under Colonel I. 
W. McMillan, July 24, 1861, and reported at the front the third 
day of August. It was the first regiment to enter New Orleans. 
The fortunes of this regiment were as varied as its services, so that 
its name and fame, grown from the blood shed by its meml*ers, are 
destined to live and flourish. In December, 1863, the regiment 
was reorganized, and on the 19th February, 1864, many of its 
veterans returned to their State, where Morton received them with 
that spirit of proud gratitude which he was capable of showing to 
those who deserve honor for honors won. 

The 22d Regiment, under Colonel Jeff. C. Davis, left Indian- 
apolis the 15th of August, and was attached to Fremont's Corps at 
St. Louis on the 17th. From the day it moved to the support of 
Colonel Mulligan at Lexington, to the last victory, won under 
General Sherman at Bentonville, on the 19th of March, 1865, it 
gained a high military reputation. After the fall of Johnston's 
southern army, this regiment was mustered out, and arrived at 
Indianapolis on the 16th June. 

The 23d Battalion, commanded by Colonel W. L. Sanderson, 
was mustered in at New Albany, the 29th July, 1861, and moved 
to the front early in August. From its unfortunate marine ex- 
periences before Fort Henry to Bentonville it won unusual honors, 
and after its disbandment at Louisville, returned to Indianapolis 
July 24, 1865, where Governor Morton and General Sherman 
reviewed and complimented the gallant survivors. 

The 24th Battalion, under Colonel Alvin P. Hovey, was 
mustered at Vincennes the 31st of July, 1861. Proceeding imme- 
diately to the front it joined Fremont's command, and participated 
under many Generals in important affairs during the war. Three 
hundred and ten men and officers returned to their State in August, 
1865, and were received with marked honors by the people and 
Executive. 

The 25th Regiment, of Evansville mustered into service there 
for three years under Col. J. C. Veatch, arrived at St. Louis on the 
26th of August, 1861. During the war this regiment was present 
at 18 battles and skirmishes, sustaining therein a loss of 352 men 



15fi UISTORY OF INDIANA. 

and officers. Mustered out at Louisville, July 17, 186.5, it returned 
to Indianapolis on the 21st amid universal rejoicing. 

The 26th Battalion, under W. M. Wheatley, left Indianapolis 
for the front the 7th of September, 1861, and after a brilliant cam- 
paign under Fremont, Grant, Heron and Smith, may be said to 
disband the 18th of September, 1865, when the non-veterans and 
recruits were reviewed by Morton at the State capital. 

The 27th Regiment, under Col. Silas Colgrove, moved from 
Indianapolis to Washington City, September 15th, 1861, and in 
October* was allied to Gen. Banks' army. From Winchester 
Heights, the 9th of March 1862, through all the affairs of General 
Sherman's campaign, it acted a gallant and faithful part, and was 
disbanded immediately after returning to their State. 

The 28th or 1st Cavalry was mustered into service at Evans- 
villeon the 20th of August, 1861, under Col. Conrad Baker. From 
the skirmish at Ironton, on the 12th of September, wherein three 
companies under Col. Gavin captured a position held by a 
few rebels, to the battle of the Wilderness, the First Cavalry per- 
formed prodigies of valor. In June and July, 1865, the troops 
were mustered out at Indianapolis. 

The 29th Battalion of La Porte, under Col. J. F. Miller, left 
on the 5th of October, 1861, and reaching Camp Nevin, Kentucky, 
on the 9th, was allied to Rosseau's Brigade, serving with McCook's 
division at Shiloh, with Buell's army in Alabama, Tennessee and 
Kentucky, with Rosencrans at Murfreesboro, at Decatur, Alabama, 
and at Dalton, Georgia. The Twenty-ninth won many laurels, 
and had its Colonel promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. 
This officer was succeeded in the command by Lieutenant-Col. 
D.M.Dunn. 

The 30th Regiment of Fort Wayne, under Col. Sion S. Bass, 
proceeded to the front via Indianapolis, and joined General Rosseau 
at Camp Nevin on the 9th of October, 1861. At Shiloh, Col. 
Bass received a mortal wound, and died a few days later at 
Paducah, leaving the Colonelcy to devolve upon Lieutenant-Col. J. 
B. Dodge. In October 1865, it formed a battalion of General Sheri- 
dan's army of observation in Texas. 

The 31st Regiment, organized at Terre Haute, under Col. Charles 
Cruft, in September 1861, was mustered in, and left in a few days 
for Kentucky. Present at the reduction of Fort Donelson on the 
13th, 14:th, and 15th of February, 1862, its list of killed and 
wounded proves its desperate fighting qualities. The organization 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 157 

was subjected to many changes, but in all its phases maintained a 
fair fame won on many battle fields. Like the former regiment, 
it passed into Gen. Sheridan's Army of Observation, and held the 
district of Green Lake, Texas. 

The 32d Regiment of German Infantry, under Col. August 
Willich, organized at Indianapolis, mustered on the 24th of August, 

1861, served with distinction throughout the campaign. Col. 
Willich was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and Lieut.- 
Col. Henry You Trebra commissioned to act, under whose com- 
mand the regiment passed into General Sheridan's Army, hold- 
ing the post of Salado Creek, until the withdrawal of the corps of 
observation in Texas. 

The 33d Regiment of Indianapolis possesses a military history 
of no small proportions. The mere facts that it was mustered in 
under Col. John Coburn, the 16th of September, won a series of 
distinctions throughout the war district and was mustered out at 
Louisville, July 21, 1865, taken with its name as one of the most 
powerful regiments engage^ in the war, are sufficient here. 

The 34th Battalion, organized at Anderson on the 16th Sep- 
tember, 1861, under Col. Ashbury Steele, appeared among the in- 
vesting battalions before New Madrid on the 30th of March, 1862- 
From the distinguished part it took in that siege, down to the 
13th of May, 1865, when at Palmetto Ranche, near Palo Alto, it 
fought for hours against fearful odds the last battle of the war for 
the Union. Afterwards it marched 250 miles up the Rio Grande, 
and was the first regiment to reoccupy the position, so long in 
Southern hands, of Ringold barracks. In 1865 it garrisoned Bea- 
con sville as part of the Army of Observation. 

The 35th or First Irish Regiment, was organized at Indian- 
apolis, and mustered into service on the 11th of December, 1861, 
under Col. John C. Walker. At Nashville, on the 22d of May, 

1862, it was joined by the organized portion of the Sixty-first or 
Second Irish Regiment, and unassigned recruits. Col. Mullen now 
became Lieut.-Colonel of the 35th, and shortly after, its Colonel. 
From the pursuit of Gen. Bragg through Kentucky and the affair 
at Perryville on the 8th of October, 1862, to the terrible hand to 
hand combat at Kenesaw mountain, on the night of the 20th of 
June, 1864, and again from the conclusion of the Atlanta campaign 
to September, 1865, with Gen. Sheridan's army, when it was mus- 
tered out, it won for itself a name of reckless daring and unsur- 
passed gallantry. 



15> HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

The 36th Regiment, of Richmond, Ind., under Col. William 
Grose, mustered into service for three years on the 16th of Sep- 
tember, 1861, went immediately to the front, and shared the for- 
tunes of the Army of the Ohio until the 27th of February, 1862, 
when a forward movement led to its presence on the battle-field of 
Shiloh. Following up the honors won at Shiloh, it participated in 
some of the most important actions of the war, and was, in October, 
1865, transferred to Gen. Sheridan's army. Col. Grose was pro- 
moted in 1861: to the position of Brigadier-General, and the 
Colonelcy devolved on Oliver H. P. Carey, formerly Lieut.-Colonel 
of the regiment. 

The 37th Battalion, of Lawrenceburg, commanded by Col. 
Geo. W. Hazzard, organized the 18th of September, 1861, left for 
the seat of war early in October. From the eventful battle of 
Stone river, in December, 1862, to its participation in Sherman's 
march through Georgia, it gained for itself a splendid reputation. 
This regiment returned to, and was present at, Indianapolis, on the 
30th of July, 1865, where a public reception was tendered to men 
and officers on the grounds of the Capitol. 

The 38th Regiment, under Col. Benjamin F. Scribner, was mus- 
tered in at New Albany, on the 18th of September, 1861, and 
in a few days were en route for the front. To follow its continual 
round of duty, is without the limits of this sketch; therefore, it 
will suffice to say, that on every well-fought field, at least from 
February, 1862, until its dissolution, on the 15th of July, 1865, it 
earned an enviable renown, and drew from Gov. Morton, on return- 
ing to Indianapolis the 18th of the same month, a congratulatory 
address couched in the highest terms of praise. 

The 39th Regiment, or Eighth Cavalry, was mustered in as 
an infantry regiment, under Col. T. J. Harrison, on the 28th of 
August, 1861, at the State capital. Leaving immediately for the 
front it took a conspicuous part in all the engagements up to April, 
1863, when it was reorganized as a cavalry regiment. The record of 
this organization sparkles with great deeds which men will extol 
while language lives; its services to the Union cannot be over esti- 
mated, or the memory of its daring deeds be forgotten by the un- 
happy people who raised the tumult, which culminated In their 
second shame. 

The 40th Regiment, of Lafayette, under Col. W. C. Wilson, 
subsequently commanded by Col. J. W. Blake, and again by Col. 
Henry Learning, was organized on the 30th of December, 1861, and 



BISTUKY OF INDIANA. 15y 

at once proceeded to the front,where some time was necessarily spent 
in the Camp of Instruction at Bardstown, Kentucky. In February, 
1862, it joined in Buell's forward movement. During the war the 
regiment shared in all its hardships, participated in all its honors, 
and like many other brave commands took service under Gen. 
Sheridan in his Army of Occupation, holding the post of Port 
Lavaca, Texas, until peace brooded over the land. 

The 41st Regiment or Second Cavalry, the first complete regi- 
ment of horse ever raised in the State, was organized on the 3d of 
September, 1861, at Indianapolis, under Col. John A. Bridgland, 
and December 16 moved to the front. Its first war experience was 
gained en route to Corinth on the 9th of April, 1862, and at Pea 
Eidge on the 15th. Gallatin, Vinegar Hill, and Perryville, and 
Talbot Station followed in succession, each battle bringing to the 
cavalry untold honors. In May, 1864, it entered upon a glorious 
career under Gen. Sherman in his Atlanta campaign, and again 
under Gen. Wilson in the raid through Alabama during April, 
1865. On the 22d of July, aftp a brilliant career, the regiment was 
mustered out at Nashville, and returned at once to Indianapolis for 
discharge. 

The 42d, under Col J. G. Jones, mustered into service at Evans- 
ville, October 9, 1861, and having participated in the principal 
military afi'airs of the period, Wartrace, Mission Ridge, Altoona, 
Kenesaw, Savannah, Charlestown and Bentonville, was discharged 
at Indianapolis on the 25th of July, 1865. 

The 43d Battalion was mustered in on the 27th of September, 
1861, under Col. George K. Steele, and left Terre Haute en route to 
the front within a few days. Later it was alUed to Gen. Pope's 
corps, and afterwards served with Commodore Foote's marines in 
the reduction of Fort Pillow. It was the first Union regiment to 
enter Memphis. From that period until the close of the war it was 
distinguished for its unexcelled qualifications as a military body 
and fully deserved the encomiums passed upon it on its return to 
Indianapolis in March, 1865. 

The 44th or the Regiment of the 10th Congressional Distkiot 
was organized at Fort Wayne on the 24th of October, 1861, under 
Col. Hugh B. Reed. Two months later it was ordered to the front, 
and arriving in Kentucky, was attached to Gen. Cruft's Brigade, 
then quartered at Calhoun. After years of faithful service it was 
mustered out at Chattanooga, the 14th of September, 1865. 

The 45th, or Third Cavalry, comprised ten companies 



lOO HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

organized at different periods and for varied services in 1861- 
'62, under Colonel Scott Carter and George H. Chapman. The 
distinguished name won by the Third Cavalry is established in 
every village within the State. Let it suffice to add that after its 
brilliant participation in Gen. Sheridan's raid down the James' 
river canal, it was mustered out at Indianapolis on the 7th of Au- 
gust, 1865. 

The 4Gth Regiment, organized at Logansport under Colonel 
Graham N. Fitch, arrived in Kentucky the 16th of February, 1862, 
and a little later became attached to Gen. Pope's army, then quar- 
tered at Commerce, The capture of Fort Pillow, and its career 
under Generals Curtis, Palmer, Hovey, Gorman, Grant, Sherman, 
Banks and Burbridge are as truly worthy of applause as ever fell to 
the lot of a regiment. The command was mustered out at Louis- 
ville on the 4th of September, 1865. 

The 47th was organized at Anderson, under Col. I. R. Slack, early 
in October, 1862. Arriving at Bardstown, Kentucky, on the 2l8t 
of December, it was attached to Gen. Buell's army; but within two 
months was assigned to Gen. Pope, under whom it proved the first 
regiment to enter Fort Thompson near New Madrid. In 1864 the 
command visited Indianapolis on veteran furlough and was enthu- 
siastically received by Governor Morton and the people. Return- 
ing to the front it engaged heartily in Gen. Banks' company. Ifi 
December, Col. Slack received his commission as Brigadier-General, 
and was succeeded on the regimental command by Col. J. A. Mc- 
Laughton ; at Shreveport under General Heron it received the sub- 
mission of General Price and his army, and there also was it mus- 
tered out of service on the 23d of October, 1865. 

The 48th Regiment, organized at Goshen the 6th of December, 
1861, under Col. Norman Eddy, entered on its duties during the 
siege of Corinth in May, and again in October, 1862. The record 
of this battalion may be said to be unsurpassed in its every feature, 
so that the grand ovation extended to the returned soldiers in 
1865 at Indianapolis, is not a matter for surprise. 

The 49th Regiment, organized at Jefferson ville, under Col. J. "W. 
Ray, and mustered in on the 21st of November, 1861, for service, 
left en route for the camp at Bardstown. A month later it arrived 
at the unfortunate camp-ground of Cumberland Ford, where dis- 
ease carried off a number of gallant soldiers. The regiment, how- 
ever, survived the dreadful scourge and won its laurels on many 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 161 

a well-fought field until September, 1865, when it was mustered out 
at Louisville. 

The 60tb Regiment, under Col. Cyrus L. Dunham, organized 
during the month of September, 1861, at Seymour, left en route to 
Bardstown for a course of military instruction. On the 20th of 
August, 1862, a detachment of the 50th, under Capt. Atkinson, was 
attacked by Morgan's Cavalry near Edgefield Junction ; but the 
gallant few repulsed their oft-repeated onsets and finally drove 
them from the field. The regiment underwent many changes in 
organization, and may be said to muster out on the 10th of Septem- 
ber, 1865. 

The 5 1st Regiment, under Col. Abel. D. Streight, left Indianap- 
olis on the 14tli of December, 1861, for the South. After a short 
course of instruction at Bardstown, the regiment joined General 
Buell's and acted with great effect during the campaign in Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee. Ultimately it became a participator in the 
work of the Fourth Corps, or Army of Occupation, and held the post 
of San Antonio until peace was doubly assured. 

The 52d Regiment was partially raised at Rushville, and the 
organization completed at Indianapolis, wliere it was consolidated 
with the Railway Brigade, or 56th Regiment, on the 2d of Feb- 
ruary, 1862. Going to the front immediately after, it served with 
marked distinction throughout the war, and was mustered out a%- 
Montgomery on the 10th of September, 1865. Returning to Indian- 
apolis six days later, it was welcomed by Gov. Morton and a most 
enthusiastic reception accorded to it. 

The 53rd Battalion was raised at New Albany, and with the 
addition of recruits raised at Rockport formed a standard regi- 
ment, under command of Col. W. Q. Gresham. Its first duty was 
that of guarding the rebels confined on Camp Morton, but on 
going to the front it made for itself an endurable name. It was mus-' 
tered out in July, 1865, and returned to Indiananoplis on the 26th 
of the same month. 

The 54th Regiment was raised at Indianapolis on the 10th of 
June, 1862, for three months' service under Col. D. G. Rose. The 
succeeding two months saw it in charge of the prisoners at Camp 
Morton, and in August it was pushed forward to aid in the defense 
of Kentucky against the Confederate General, Kirby Smith. The 
remainder of its short term of service was given to the cause. On th$ 
muster out of the three months' service regiment it was reorgan- 



162 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

ized for one year's service and gained some distinction, after which 
it was mustered out in 1863 at New Orleans. 

The 55th Kegiment, organized for three months' service, retains 
the brief history applicable to the first organization of the 54th. 
It was mustered in on the 16th of June, 1862, under Col. J. R. 
Mabon, disbanded on the expiration of its term and was not reor- 
ganized. 

The 56th Regiment, referred to in the sketch of the 52nd, was 
designed to be composed of railroad men, marshalled under J. M. 
Smith as Colonel, but owing to the fact that many railroaders had 
alreadj?^ volunteered into other regiments, Col. Smith's volunteers 
were incorporated with the 52nd, and this number left blank in the 
army list. 

The 57th Battalion, actually organized by two ministers of the 
gospel,— the Rev. I. W. T. McMullen and Rev. F. A. Hardin, of 
Richmond, Ind., mustered into service on the 18th of Novem- 
ber, 1861, under the former named reverend gentleman as Colonel, 
who was, however, succeeded by Col. Cyrus C. Haynes, and he in 
turn by G. W. Leonard, Willis Blanch and John S. McGrath, the 
latter holding command until the conclusion of the war. The 
history of this battalion is extensive, and if participation in a num- 
ber of battles with the display of rare gallantry wins fame, the 57th 
may rest assured of its possession of this fragile yet coveted prize. 
Like many other regiments it concluded its military labors in the 
service of General Sheridan, and held the post of Port Lavaca in 
conjunction with another regiment until peace dwelt in the land. 

The 58th Regiment, of Princeton, was organized there early in 
October, 1861, and was mustered into service under the Colonelcy 
of Henry M. Carr. In December it was ordered to join Gen- 
eral Buell's army, after which it took a share in the various 
actions of the war, and was mustered out on the 25th of July, 1865, 
at Louisville, having gained a place on the roll of honor. 

The 59th Battalion was raised under a commission issued by 
Gov. Morton to Jesse I. Alexander, creating him Colonel. Owing 
to the peculiarities hampering its organization, Col. Alexander could 
not succeed in having his regiment prepared to muster in before 
the 17th of February, 1862. However, on that day the equipment 
was complete, and on the 18th it left en rovie to Commerce, where 
on its arrival, it was incorporated under General Pope's command. 
The list of its casualties speaks a history, — no less than 793 men 
were lost during the campaign. The regiment, after a term char- 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 163 

acterized hj distinguished service, was mustered out at Louisville 
on tlie 17th of July, 1865. 

The 60th Regiment was partially organized under Lieut .-Col. 
Richard Owen at Evansville daring November 1861, and perfected 
at Camp Morton during March, 1862. Its first experience was its 
gallant resistance to Bragg's army investing Munfordsville, which 
culminated in the unconditional surrender of its first seven com- 
panies on the 14th of September. An exchange of prisoners took 
place in November, which enabled it to joine the remaining com- 
panies in the field. The subsequent record is excellent, and forms, 
as it were, a monument to their fidelity and heroism. The main 
portion of this battalion was mustered out at Indianapolis, on the 
21st of March, 1865. 

The 61sT was partially organized in December, 1861, under Col. 
B. F. Mullen. The failure of thorough organization on the 22d of 
May, 1862, led the men and oflicers to agree to incorporation with 
the 35th Regiment of Yoluntecrs. 

The 62d Battalion, raised under a commission issued to Wil- 
liam Jones, of Rockport, authorizing him to organize this regiment 
in the First Congressional District was so unsuccessful that consoli- 
dation with the 53d Regiment was resolved upon. 

The 63d Regiment, of Covington, under James McManomy, 
Commandant ot Camp, and J. S. "Williams, Adjutant, was partially 
organized on the 31st of December, 1861, and may be considered 
on duty from its very formation. After guarding prisoners at 
Camp Morton and Lafayette, and engaging in battle on Manassas 
Plains on the 30th of August following, the few companies sent 
out in February, 1862, returned to Indianapolis to find six new 
companies raised under the call of July, 1862, ready to embrace 
the fortunes of the 63d. So strengthened, the regiment went forth 
to battle, and continued to lead in the paths of honor and fidelity 
until mustered out in May and June, 1865. 

The 64th Regiment failed in organization as an artillery corps; 
but orders received from the War Department prohibiting the con- 
solidation of independent batteries, put a stop to any further move 
in the matter. However, an infantry regiment bearing the same 
number was afterward organized. 

The 65th was mustered in at Princeton and Evansville, in July 
and August, 1862, under Col. J. W. Foster, and left at once en 
route for the front. The record of this battalion is creditable, not 
only to its members, but also to the State which claimed it. Its 



164 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

last action during the war was on the 18th and 20th of February, 
1865, at Fort Anderson and Town creek, after whicli, on the 22d 
June, it was disbanded at Greensboro. 

The 66th Regimei^t partially organized at New Albany, under 
Commandant Roger Martin, was ordered to leave for Kentucky on 
the 19th of August, 1862, for the defense of that State against the 
incursions of Kirby Smith. After a brilliant career it was mus- 
tered out at Washington on the 3d of June, 1865, after which it 
returned to Indianapolis to receive the thanks of a grateful people. 

The 67th Regiment was organized within the Third Congressional 
District under Col. Frank Emerson, and was ordered to Louisville 
on the 20th of August, 1862, whence it marched to Munfordville, 
only to share the same fate with the other gallant regiments en- 
gaged against Gen. Bragg's advance. Its roll of honor extends 
down the years of civil disturbance, — always adding garlands, un- 
til Peace called a truce in the fascinating race after fame, and insured 
a term of rest, wherein its members could think on comrades forever 
vanished, and temper the sad thought with the sublime mem- 
ories born of that chivalrous fight for the maintenance and integri- 
ty of a great Republic. At Galveston on the 19th of July, 1865, the 
gallant 67th Regiment was mustered out, and returning within a 
few days to its State received the enthusiastic ovations of her citi- 
zens. 

The 68th Regiment, organized at Greensburg under Major Ben- 
jamin C. Shaw, was accepted for general service the 19th of August, 
1862, under Col. .Edward A. King, with Major Shaw as Lieutenant 
Colonel; on the 25th its arrival at Lebanon was reported and with- 
in a few days it appeared at the defense of Munfordville; but shar- 
ing in the fate of all the defenders, it surrendered unconditionally to 
Gen. Bragg and did not participate further in the actions of that 
year, nor until after the exchange of prisoners in 1863. From this 
period it may lay claim to an enviable history extending to the end 
of the war, when it was disembodied. 

The 69th Regiment, of Richmond, Ind., under Col. A. Bickle, 
left for the front on the 20th ot August, 1862, and ten days later 
made a very brilliant stand at Richmond, Kentucky, against 
the advance of Gen. Kirby Smith, losing in the engagement two 
hundred and eighteen men and officers together with its liberty. 
After an exchange of prisoners the regiment was reorganized under 
Col. T. W. Bennett and took the field in December, 1862, under 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. ]65 

Generals Sheldon, Morgan and Sherman of Grant's armj. Chick- 
asaw, Yicksburg, Blakely and many other names testify to the valor 
of the 69th. The remnant of the regiment was in January, 1865, 
formed into a battalion under Gran Perry, and was mustered out in 
July following. 

The 70th Hegiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 12th of 
August, 1S62, under Col. B. Harrison, and leaving for Louisville on 
the 13th, shared in the honors cf Bruce's division at Franklin 
and Itussellville. The record of the regiment is brimful of honor. 
It was mustered out at Washington, June 8, 1865, and received at 
Indianapolis with public honors. 

The TlsT OR Sixth Cavalry was organized as an infantry regi- 
ment, at Terre Haute, and mustered into general service at Indian- 
apolis on the 18th of August, 1862, under Lieut. -Col. Melville D. 
Topping. Twelve days later it was engaged outside Richmond, 
Kentucky, losing two hundred and fifteen officers and men, includ- 
ing Col. Topping and Major Couklin, together with three hundred 
and forty-seven prisoners, only 225 escaping death and capture. 
After an exchange of prisoners the regiment was re-formed under 
Col. I. Bittle, but on the 28th of December it surrendered to Gen. 
J. H. Morgan, who attacked its position at Muldraugh's Hill with a 
force of 1,000 Confederates. During September and Gctober, 1863, 
it was organized as a cavalry regiment, won distinction throughout 
its career, and was mustered out the 15th of September, 1865, at 
Murfreesboro. 

The 77th Regiment was organized at Lafayette, and left en route 
to Lebanon, Kentucky, on the 17th of August, 1862. Under Col. 
Miller it won a series of honors, and mustered out at Nashville on 
the 26th of June, 1865. 

The 73bd Regiment, under Col. Gilbert Hathaway, was mustered 
in at South Bend on the 16th of August, 1862, and proceeded im- 
mediately to the front. Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, and the high 
eulogies of Generals Rosencrans and Granger speak its long and 
brilliant history, nor were the welcoming shouts of a great people 
and the congratulations of Gov. Morton, tendered to the regiment 
on its return home, in July, 1865, necessary to sustain its well won 
reputation. 

The 74th Regiment, partially organized at Fort Wayne and made 
almost complete at Indianapolis, left for the seat of war on the 22d 
of August, 1862, under Col. Charles W. Chapman. The desperate 
opposition to Gen. Bragg, and the magnificent defeat of Morgan, 



166 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

together with the battles of Dallas, Chattahoochie river, Kenesaw 
and Atlanta, where Lieut. Col. Myron Baker was killed, all bear evi- 
dence of its never surpassed gallantry. It was mustered out of ser- 
vice on the 9th of June, 1865, at Washington. On the return of the 
regiment to Indianapolis, the war Governor and people tendered it 
special honors, and gave expression to the admiration and regard 
in which it was held. 

The 76th Regiment was organized within the Eleventh Congress- 
ional District, and left Wabash, on the 21st of August, 1862, for the 
front, under Col. I. W. Petit. It was the first regiment to enter 
Tullahoma, and one of the last engaged in the battles of the Repub- 
lic. After the submission of Gen. Johnson's army, it was mustered 
out at Washington, on the 8th of June 1865. 

The 76th Battalion was solely organized for thirty days' service 
under Colonel James Gavin, for the purpose of pursuing the rebel 
guerrilas, who plundered Newburg on the 13th July, 1862. It was 
organized and equipped within forty-eight hours, and during its 
term of service gained the name, " The Avengers of Newburg." 

The 77th, or Fourth Cavalry, was organized at the State capi- 
tal in August, 1862, under Colonel Isaac P. Gray. It carved its 
way to fame over twenty battlefields, and retired from service at 
Edgefield, on the 29th June, 1865. 

The 79th Regiment was mustered in at Indianapolis on the 2nd 
September, 1862, under Colonel Fred Knefler. Its history may be 
termed a record of battles, as the great numbers of battles, from 
1862 to the conclusion of hostilities, were participated in by it. 
The regiment received its discharge on the 11th June, 1865, at 
Indianapolis. During its continued round of field duty it captured 
eighteen guns and over one thousand prisoners. 

The 80th Regiment, was organized within the First Congress- 
ional District under Col. C. Denby, and equipped at Indianapolis, 
when, on the 8th of September, 1862, it left for the front. During 
its term it lost only two prisoners; but its list of casualties sums 
up 325 men and officers killed and wounded. The regiment may 
be said to muster out on the 22nd of June, 1865, at Saulsbury. 

The 8l8T Regiment, of New Albany, under Colonel W. W. 
Caldwell, was organized on the 29th August, 1862, and proceeded 
at once to join TBuell's headquarters, and join in the pursuit of 
General Bragg. Throughout the terrific actions of the war its 
influence was felt, nor did its labors cease until it aided in driving 
the rebels across the Tennessee. It was disembodied at Nashville 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 167 

on the 13tli June, 1S65, and returned to Indianapolis on the 15th, 
to receive the well- merited congratulations of Governor Morton 
and the people. 

The 82nd Regiment, under Colonel Morton C Hunter, was 
mustered in at Madison, Ind., on the 30th August, 1862, and 
leaving immediately for the seat of war, participated in many of 
the great battles aown to the return of peace. It was mustered out 
at "Washington on the 9th June, 1865, and soon returned to its 
State to receive a grand recognition of its fjiithful service. 

The 83rd Regiment, of Lawrencebui-g, under Colonel Ben. J. 
Spouner, was organized in September, 1862, and soon left en route 
to the Mississippi. Its subsequent history, the fact of its being 
under fire for a total term of 4,800 hours, and its wanderings over 
6,285 miles, leave nothing to be said in its defense. Master of a 
thousand honors, it was mustered out at Louisville, on the 16th 
July, 1865, and returned home to enjoy a well-merited repose. 

The 8-iTH Regiment was mustered in at Richmond, Ind., on the 
8th September, 1862, under Colonel Nelson Trusler. Its first 
military duty was on the defenses of Covington, in Kentucky, and 
Cincinnati; but after a short time its labors became more con- 
genial, and tended to the great disadvantage of the slaveholding 
enemy on many well-contested fields. This, like the other State 
regiments, won many distinctions, and retired from the service on 
the Uth of June, 1865, at Nashville. 

The 85th Regiment was mustered at Terre Haute, under Colonel 
John P. Bayard, on the 2d September, 1862. On the 4th March, 
1863, it shared in the unfortunate aifair at Thompson's Station, 
when "in common with the other regiments forming Coburn's Bri- 
gade, it surrendered to the overpowering forces of the rebel 
General, Forrest. In June, 1863, after an exchange, it again took 
the field, and won a large portion of that renown accorded to 
Indiana. It was mustered out on the 12th of June, 1865. 

The 86th Regiment, of La Fayette, left for Kentucky on the 26tli 
August, 1862, under Colonel OrvilleS. Hamilton, and shared in the 
duties assigned to the 84th. Its record is very creditable, particu- 
larly that portion dealing with the battles of Nashville on the 15th 
and 16th December, 1864. It was mustered out on the 6th of June, 
1865, and reported within a few days at Indianapolis for discharge. 

The 87th Regiment, organized at South Bend, under Colonels 
Kline G. Sherlock and N. Gleason, was accepted at Indianapolis 
on the 31st of August, 1862, and left on the same day en route to 



168 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

the front. From Springfield and Perryville on the 6tli and 8th of 
October, 1862, to Mission Ridge, on the 25th of November, 1803, 
thence through the Atlanta campaign to the surrender of the South- 
ern armies, it upheld a gallant name, and met with a true and en- 
thusiastic welcome' home on the 21st of June, 1865, with a list of 
absent comrades aggregating 451. 

The 88th Regiment, organized within the Fourth Congressional 
District, under Col. Geo. Humphrey, entered the service on the 
29th of August, 1862, and presently was found among the front 
ranks in war. It passed through the campaign in brilliant form 
down to the time of Gen. Johnson's surrender to Gen. Grant, after 
which, on the 7th of June, 1865, it was mustered out at Washing, 
ton. 

The 89th Regiment, formed from the material of the 
Eleventh Congressional District, was mustered in at Indianapolis, 
on the 28th of August, 1862, under Col. Chas. D. Murray, and 
after an exceedingly brilliant campaign was discharged by Gov. 
Morton on the 4th of August, 1865. 

The 90th Regiment, or Fifth Cavalry, was organized at 
Indianapolis under the Colonelcy of Felix W. Graham, between 
August and November, 1862. The different companies, joining 
headquarters at Louisville on the 11th of March, 1863, engaged in 
observing the movements of the enemy in the vicinity of Cumber- 
land river until the 19th of April, when a first and successful 
brush was had with the rebels. The regiment had been in 22 en- 
gagements during the term of service, captured 640 prisoners, and 
claimed a list of casualties mounting up to the number of 829. 
It was mustered out on the 16th of June, 1865, at Pulaski. 

The 91st Battalion, of seven companies, was mustered into 
service at Evansville, the 1st of October, 1862, under Lieut.-Colonel 
John Mehringer, and in ten days later left for the front. In 
1863 the regiment was completed, and thenceforth took a very 
prominent position in the prosecution of the war. During its ser- 
vice it lost 81 men, and retired from the field on the 26th of June, 
1865. 

The 92d Regiment failed in organizing. 

The 93d Regiment was mustered in at Madison, Ind., on the 
20th of October, 1862, under Col. De Witt C. Thomas and Lieut.- 
Col. Geo. W. Carr. On the 9th of November it began a move- 
ment south, and ultimately allied itself to Buckland's Brigade of 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 169 

Geii. Sliei-man's. On the 14th of Maj it was among the first regi- 
ments to enter Jackson, the capital of Mississip])!; was next pres- 
ent at the assanlt on Yicksburg, and made a stirring campaign 
down to the storming of Fort Blakely on the 9th of April, 1865. 
It was discharged on the 11th of August, that year, at Indianapo- 
lis, after receiving a public ovation. 

The 94:TH AND 95th Regiments, authorized to be formed within 
the Fourth and Fifth Congressional Districts, respectively, were 
only partially organized, and so the few companies that could be 
mustered were incorporated with other regiments. 

The 96th Regiment could only bring together three companies, 
in the Sixth Congressional District, and these becoming incorpo- 
rated with the 99th then in process of formation at South Bend, the 
number was left blank. 

The 97th Regiment, raised in the Seventh Congressional Dis- 
trict, was mustered into service at Terre Haute, on the 20th of 
September, 1861, under Col. Robert F. Catterson. Reaching the 
front within a few days, it was assigned a position near Memphis, 
and subsequently joined in Gen. Grant's movement on Vicksburg, 
by overland route. After a succession of great exploits with the 
several armies to which it was attached, it completed its list of 
battles at Bentonville, on the 21st of March, 1865, and was dis- 
embodied at Washington on the 9th of June following. During its 
term of service the regiment lost 341 men, including the three 
Ensigns killed during the assaults on rebel positions along the 
A]3gusta Railway, from the 15th to the 27th of June, 1864. 

The 9Sth Regiment, authorized to be raised within the Eighth 
Congressional District, failed in its organization, and the number 
was left blank in the army list. The two companies answering to 
the call of July, 1862, were consolidated with the 100th Regiment 
then being organized at Fort Wayne. 

The 99th Battalion, recruited within the Ninth Congressional 
District, completed its muster on the 21st of October, 1862, under 
Col. Alex. Fawler, and reported for service a few days later at 
Memphis, where it was assigned to the 16th Army Corps. The va- 
ried vicissitudes through which this regiment passed and its remark- 
able gallantry upon all occasions, have gained for it a fair fame. 
It was disembodied on the 5th of June, 1865, at Washington, and 
returned to Indianapolis on the 11th of the same month. 

The 100th Regiment, recruited from the Eighth and Tenth 
Congressional Districts, under Col. Sandford J. Stoughton, mustered 



170 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



into the service on the 10th of September, left for the front on the 
11th of November, and became attached to the Army of Tennessee 
on the 26th of that month, 1862. The regiment participated in 
twenty-live battles, togethsr with skirmishing during fully one-third 
of its term of service, and claimed a list of casualties mounting up 
to four hundred and sixty-four. It was mustered out of the ser- 
vice at "Washington on the 9th of June, and reported at Indianapolis 
for discharge on the 14th of June, 1865. 

The lOlsT Regiment was mustered into service at Wabash on 
the 7th of September, 1862, under Col. William Garver, and pro- 
ceeded immediately to Covington, Kentucky. Its early experiences 
were gained in the pursuit ofBragg's army and John Morgan's 
cavalry, and these experiences tendered to render the regiment one 
of the most valuable in the war for the Republic. From the defeat 
of John Morgan at Milton on the 18th of March, 1863, to the fall 
of Savannah on the 23rd of September, 1863, the regiment won 
many honors, and retired from the service on the 25th of June, 
1865, at Indianapolis. 

THE MORGAN RAID REGIMENTS — MINUTE MEN. 

The 102d Regiment, organized under Col. Benjamin M. Gregory 
from companies of the Indiana Legion, and numbering six hun- 
dred and twenty-three men and officers, left Indianapolis for the 
front early in July, and reported at North Yernon on the 12th of 
July, 1863, and having completed a round of duty, returned to In- 
dianapolis on the 17th to be discharged. 

• The 103d, comprising seven companies from Hendricks county, 
two from Marion and one from Wayne counties, numbering 681 
men and officers, under Col. Lawrence S. Shuler, was contemporary 
with the 102d Regiment, varying only in its service by being mus- 
tered oat one day before, or on the 16th of July, 1863. 

The 104th Regiment of Minute Men was recruited from mem- 
bers of the Legion of Decatur, La Fayette, Madison, Marion and Rush 
counties. It comprised 714 men and officers under the command 
of Col. James Gavin, and was organized within forty hours after the 
issue of Governor Morton's call for minute men to protect Indiana 
and Kentucky against the raids of Gen. John H. Morgan's rebel 
forces. After Morgan's escape into Ohio the command returned 
and was mustered out on the 18th of July, 1863. 

The 105th Regiment consisted of seven companies of the Legion 
and three of Minute Men, furnished by Hancock, Union, Randolph, 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 171 

Putnam, Wayne, Clinton and Madison counties. The command 
numbered seven hundred and thirteen men and officers, under Col. 
Sherlock, and took a leading part in the pursuit of Morgan. Re- 
turning on the 18th of July to Indianapolis it was mustered out. 

The 106th Regiment, under Col. Isaac P. Gray, consisted of 
one company of the Legion and nine companies of Minute Men, 
aggregating seven hundred and ninety-two men and officers. The 
counties of Wayne, Randolph, Hancock, Howard, and Marion were 
represented in its rank and file. Like the other regiments organized 
to repel Morgan, it was disembodied in July, 1863. 

The 107th Regiment, under Col. De Witt C. Rugg, was organ- 
ized in the city of Indianapolis from the companies' Legion, or 
Ward Guards. The successes of this promptly organized regiment 
were unquestioned. 

The 108th Regiment comprised five companies of Minute Men, 
from Tippecanoe county, two from Hancock, and one from each of 
the counties known as Carroll, Montgomery and Wayne, aggregat- 
ing 710 men and officers, and all under the command of Col. W. C. 
Wilson. After performing the only duties presented, it returned 
from Cincinnati on the 18th of July, and was mustered out. 

The 109th Regiment, composed of Minute Men from Coles 
county, 111., La Porte, Hamilton, Miami and Randolph counties, 
Ind., showed a roster of 709 officers and men, under Col. J. R, 
Mahon. Morgan having escaped from Ohio, its duties were at an 
end, and returning to Indianapolis was mustered out on the 17th 
of July, 1863, after seven days' service. 

The 110th Regiment of Minute Men comprised volunteers from 
Henry, Madison, Delaware, Cass, and Monroe counties. The men 
were ready and willing, if not really anxious to go to the front. But 
happily the swift-winged Morgan was driven away, and conse- 
quently the regiment was not called to the field. 

The 111th Regiment, furnished by Montgomery, Lafayette, 
Rush, Miami, Monroe, Delaware and Hamilton counties, number- 
ing 733 men and officers, under Col. Robert Canover, was not 
requisitioned. 

The 112th Regiment was formed from nine companies of Min- 
ute Men, and the Mitchell Light Infantry Company of the Legion. 
Its strength was 703 men and officers, under Col. Hiram F. Brax- 
ton. Lawrence, Washington, Monroe and Orange counties were 
represented on its roster, and the historic names of North Yernon 
and Sunman's Station on its banner. Returning from the South 



172 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

after seven days' service, it was mustered out oil the 17th of 
July, 1863. 

The 113th Regiment, furnished by Daviess, Martin, Wasliinj^ton, 
and Monroe counties, comprised 526 rank and file under Col. Geo. 
W. Burge. Like the 112th, it was assigned to Gen. Hughes' 
Brigade, and defended Korth Yernon against the repeated attacks 
of John H. Morgan's forces. 

The 114th Regiment was wholly organized in Johnson county, 
under Col. Lambertson, and participated in the affair of North 
Yernon. Returning on the 2l8t of July, 1863, with its brief but 
faithful record, it was disembodied at Indianapolis, 11 days after 
its organization. 

All these regiments were brought into existence to meet an 
emergency, and it must be confessed, that had not a sense of 
duty, military instinct and love of country animated these regi- 
ments, the rebel General, John H. Morton, and his 6,000 cavalry 
would doubtless have carried destruction as far as the very capital 
of their State. 

SIX months' regiments. 

The 115th Regiment, organized at Indianapolis in answer to the 
call of the President in June, 1863, was mustered into service on 
the 17th of August, under Col. J. R. Mahon. Its service was short 
but brilliant, and received its discharge at Indianapolis the 10th 
of February, 1864. 

The 116th R:^giment, mustered in on the 17th of August, 1863, 
moved to Detroit, Michigan, on the 30th, under Col. Charles Wise. 
During October it was ordered to Nicholasville, Kentucky, where it 
was assigned to Col. Mahon's Brigade, and with Gen. Willcox's 
entire command, joined in the forward movement to Cumberland 
Gap. After a term on severe duty it returned to Lafayette and 
there was disembodied on the 24th of February, 1864, whither Gov. 
Morton hastened, to share in the ceremonies of welcome. 

The 117th Regiment of Indianapolis was mustered into service 
on the 17th of September, 1863, under Col. Thomas J. Brady. 
After surmounting every obstacle opposed to it, it returned on the 
6th of February, 1864, and was treated to a public reception on 
the 9 th. 

The 118th Regiment, whose organization was completed on the 
3d of September, 1863, under Col. Geo. "W. Jackson, joined the 
116th at Nicholasville, and sharing in its fortunes, returned to the 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 173 

State capital on the 14th of February, 1864. Its casualties were 
comprised iu a list of 15 killed and wounded. 

The 119th, or Seventh Cavalry, was recruited under Col. John 
P. C. Shanks, and its organization completed on the 1st of Octo- 
ber, 1863. The rank and tile numbered 1,213, divided into twelve 
companies. On the 7th of December its arrival at Louisville was 
reported, and on the 14th it entered on active service. After the 
well-fought battle of Guntown, Mississippi, on the 10th of June, 
1864, although it only brought defeat to our arms, General Grier- 
8on addressed the Seventh Cavalry, saying: " Your General con- 
gratulates you upon your noble conduct during the late expedition. 
Fighting against overwhelming numbers, under adverse circum- 
stances, your prompt obedience to orders and unflinching courage 
commanding the admiration of all, made even defeat almost a vic- 
tory. For hours on foot you repulsed the charges of the enemies' in- 
fantry, and again in the saddle you met his cavalry and turned his 
assaults into confusion. Your heroic perseverance saved hundreds 
of your fellow-soldiers from capture. You have been faithful to 
your honorable reputation, and have fully justified the confidence, 
and merited the high esteem of your commander." 

Early in 1865, a number of these troops, returning from impris- 
onment in Southern bastiles, were lost on the steamer " Sultana." 
The survivors of the campaign continued in the service for a long 
period after the restoration of peace, and finally mustered out. 

The 120th Reuiment. In September, 1863, Gov. Morton re- 
ceived authority from the War Department to organize eleven regi- 
ments within the State for three years' service. By April, 1864, 
this organization was complete, and being transferred to the com- 
mand of Brigadier-General Alvin P. Hovey, were formed by him 
into a division for service with the Army of Tennessee. Of those 
regiments, the 120th occupied a very prominent place, both on ac- 
count of its numbers, its perfect discipline and high reputation. 
It was mustered in at Columbus, and was in all the great battles 
of the latter years of the war. It won high praise from friend 
and foe, and retired with its bright roll of honor, after the success 
of Right and Justice was accomplished. 

The 121sT, OR Ninth Cavalry, was mustered in March 1, 1864, 
under Col. George W. Jackson, at Indianapolis, and though not 
numerically strong, was so well equipped and possessed such excel- 
lent material that on the 3rd of May it was ordered to the front. 
The record of the 121st, though extending over a brief period, is 



174: HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 

pregnant with deeds of war of a high character. On the 26th of 
April, 1865, these troops, while returning from their labors in the 
South, lost 55 men, owing to the explosion of the engines of the 
steamer " Sultana." The return of the 386 survivors, on the 5th of 
September, 18G5, was Iiailed with joy, and proved how well and 
dearly the citizens of Indiana loved their soldiers. 

The 122d Regiment ordered to be raised in the Third Congres- 
sional District, owing to very few men being then at home, failed 
in organization, and the regimental number became a blank. 

The 123d Regiment was furnished by the Fourth and Seventh 
Congressional Districts during the winter of 1863-'64, and mus- 
tered, March 9, 1864, at Greensburg, under Col. John C. McQuis- 
tpn. The command left for the front the same day, and after win- 
ning rare distinction during the last years of the campaign, par- 
ticularly in its gallantry at Atlanta, and its daring movement to 
escape Forrest's 15,000 rebel horsemen near Franklin, this regi- 
ment was discharged on the 30th of August, 1865, at Indianapolis, 
being mustered out on the 25th, at Raleigh, Korth Carolina. 

The 124th Regiment completed its organization by assuming 
three companies raised for the 125th Regiment (which was intended 
to be cavalry), and was mustered in at Richmond, on the 10th of 
March, 1864, under Colonel James Burgess, and reported at Louis- 
ville within nine days. From Buzzard's Roost, on the 8th of May, 
1864, under General Schofield, Lost Mountain in June, and the 
capture of Decatur, on the 15th July, to the 21st March, 1865, in 
its grand advaace under General Sherman from Atlanta to the 
coast, the regiment won many laurel wreaths, and after a brilliant 
campaign, was mustered out at Greensboro on the 31st August, 
1865. 

The 125th, oe Tenth Cavalry, was partially organized during 
Kovember and December, 1862, at Yincennes, and in February, 
1863, completed its numbers and equipment at Columbus, under 
Colonel T. M. Pace. Early in May its arrival in Nashville was 
reported, and presently assigned active service. During September 
and October it engaged rebel contingents under Forrest and Hood, 
and later in the battles of Nashville, Reynold's Hill and Sugar 
Creek, and in 1865 Flint River, Courtland and Mount Hope. The 
explosion of the Sultana occasioned the loss of thirty-five men with 
Captain Gaffney and Lieutenants Twigg and Reeves, and in a 
collision on the Nashville & Louisville railroad, May, 1864, lost 
five men killed and several wounded. After a term of service un- 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 175 

surpassed for its utility and character it was disembodied at Yick»- 
burg, Mississippi, on the 31st August, 1865, and returning to 
Indianapolis early in September, was welcomed by the Executive 
and people. 

The 126th, or Eleventh Cavalry, was organized at Indian- 
apolis under Colonel Robert R. Stewart, on the 1st of March, 1864, 
and left in May for Tennessee. It took a very conspicuous part in 
the defeat of Hood near Nashville, joining in the pursuit as far as 
Gravelly Springs, Alabama, where it was dismounted and assigned 
inlantry duty. In June, 1865, it was remounted at St. Louis, and 
moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, and thence to Leavenworth, where it 
was mustered out on the 19th September, 1865. 

The 127th, or Twelfth Cavalry, was partially organized at 
Kendallville, in December, 1S63, and perfected at the same place, 
under Colonel Edward Anderson, in April, 1864. Reaching the 
front in May, it went into active service, took a prominent part in 
the march through Alabama and Georgia, and after a service bril- 
liant in all its parts, retired from the field, after discharge, on the 
22d of November, 1865. 

The 128th Regiment was raised in the Tenth Congressional Dis- 
trict of the period, and mustered at Michigan City, under Colonel 
R P. De Hart, on the 18th March, 1864. On the 25th it was 
reported at the front, and assigned at once to Schofield's Division. 
The battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, 
Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Dalton, Brentwood Hills, Nashville. 
and the six days' skirmish of Columbia, were all participated in by 
the 128th, and it continued in service long after the termination 
of hostilities, holding the post of Raleigh, North Carolina. 

The 129ih Regiment was, like the former, mustered in at 
Michigan City about the same time, under Colonel Charles Case, 
and moving to the front on the 7th April, 1864, shared in the for- 
tunes of the 12Sth until August 29, 1865, when it was disembodied 
at Charlotte, Notrh Carolina. 

The 130tu Regiment, mustered at Kokomo on the 12th March, 
1864, under Colonel C. S. Parrish, left e)i route to the seat of war 
on the 16th, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, 
Twenty-third Army Corps, at Nashville, on the 19th. During the 
war it made for itself a brilliant history, and returned to Indian- 
apolis with its well-won honors on the 13th Decemoer, 1865. 

The 131st, or Thirteenth Cavalry, under Colonel G. M L. 
Johnson, was the last mounted regiment recruited within the State. 



176 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 

It left Indianapolis on the 30th of April, 1864, in infantry trim, 
and gained its first honors on the Ist of October in its magnificent 
defense of Huntsville, Alabama, against the rebel division of 
General Biiford, following a line of first-rate military conduct to 
the end. In January, 1865, the regiment was remounted, won 
some distinction in its modern form, and was mustered out at 
Vicksburg on the 18th of November, 1865. The morale and 
services of the regiment were such that its Colonel was promoted 
Brevet Brigadier-General in consideration of its merited honors. 

THE ONE HUNDRED-DATS VOLUNTEERS. 

Governor Morton, in obedience to the oflfer made under his auspices 
to the general Government to raise volunteer regiments for one hun- 
dred days' service, issued his call on the 23rd of April, 1864. This 
movement suggested itself to the inventive genius of tlie war Gov- 
ernor as a most important step toward the subjection or annihila- 
tion of the military supporters of slavery within a year, and thus 
conclude a war, which, notwithstanding its holy claims to the name 
of Battles for Freedom, was becoming too protracted, and proving 
too detrimental to the best interests of the Union. In answer to 
the esteemed Governor's call eight regiments came forward, and 
formed The Grand Division of the Volunteers. 

The 132d Regiment, under Col. S. C. Yance, was furnished by 
Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Franklin and Danville, and leaving on 
the 18th of May, 1864, reached the front where it joined the forces 
acting in Tennessee. 

The 133d Regiment, raised at Richmond on the 17th of May, 
1864, under Col. R. N. Hudson, comprised nine companies, and 
followed the 132d. 

The 134th Regiment, comprising seven companies, was organ- 
ized at Indianapolis on the 25th of Maj, 1864, under Col. James 
Gavin, and proceeded immediately to the front. 

The 135th Regiment was raised from the volunteers of Bedford, 
Kobiesville and Goshen, with seven companies from the First Con- 
gressional District, under Col. W. C. "Wilson, on the 25th of May, 
1864, and left at once en route to the South. 

The 136th Regiment comprised ten companies, raised in the 
same districts as those contributing to the 135th, under Col. J. W. 
Foster, and left for Tennessee on the 24th of May, 1864. 

The 137th Regiment, under Col. E. J. Robinson, comprising 
volunteers from Kokomo, Zanesviile, Medora, Sullivan, Rockville, 



HISTORY OF INDIANA, 



177 



and Owen and Lawrence counties, left en route to Tennessee on the 
28tli ot' May, 1SC4, liaving com]>leted organization the day previous. 

The 138x11 Regiment was formed of seven companies from the 
Ninth, with three from the Eleventh Congressional District (im- 
reformed), and mustered in at Indianapolis on the 27th of May, 
1864, under Col. J. H. Shannon. This fine regiment was re- 
ported at the front within a few days. 

The 139th Regiment, under Col. Geo. Humphrey, was raised from 
volunteers furnished by Kendallville, Lawrenccburg, EUzaville, 
Knightstown, Connersville, Newcastle, Portland, Tevay, New 
Albany, Metamora, Columbia City, New Haven and New Phila- 
delphia. It was constituted a regiment on the 8th of June, 1864, 
and appeared among the defenders in Tennessee during that month. 

All these regiments gained distinction, and won an enviable po- 
sition in the glorious history of the war and the no less glorious 
one of their own State in its relation thereto. 

THE president's CALL OF JULY, 1864. 

The 140th Regiment was organized with many others, in response 
to the call of the nation. Under its Colonel, Thomas J. Brady, it pro- 
ceeded to the South on the 15th of November, 1864. Having taken 
a most prominent part in all the desperate struggles, round Nash- 
ville and Murfreesboro in 1864, to Town Creek Bridge on the 20th 
of February, 1865, and completed a continuous round of severe duty 
to the end, arrived at Indianapolis for discharge on the 21st of July, 
where Governor Morton received it with marked, honors. 

The 14 1st Regiment was only partially raised, and its few com- 
panies were incorporated with Col Brady's command. 

The ] 42d Regiment was recruited at Fort Wayne, under Col. I. 
M. Coniparet, and was mustered into service at Indianapolis on the 
d of November, 1864. After a steady and exceedingly effective 
service, it returned to Indianapolis on the I6th of July, 1865. 

the president's call of DECEMBER, 1864, 

Was answered by Indiana in the most material terms. No less 
than fourteen serviceable regiments were placed at the disposal of 
the General Government. 

The 143d Regiment was mustered in, under Col J. T. Grill, on 
the 21st February, 1865, reported at Nashville on the 24th, and af- 
ter a brief but brilliant service returned to the State on the 21st 
October, 1865. 



178 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

The 144th Regiment, under Col. G. W. Riddle, was mustered in 
oh the 6th March, 1865, left on the 9th for Harper's Ferry, took an 
effective part in the close of the campaign and reported at Indian- 
apolis for discharge on the 9th August. 1865. 

The 145th Regiment, under Col. W. A. Adams, left Indianapolis 
on the 18th of February, 1865, and joining Gen. Steadman's division 
at Chattanooga on the 23d was sent on active service. Its duties 
were disqiarged with rare fidelity until mustered out in January, 
1866. 

The 146th Regiment, under Col. M. C. Welsh, left Indianapolis 
on the 11th of March en route to Harper's Ferry, where it was ^6- 
signed to the army of the Shenandoah. The duties ot this regiment 
Were severe and continuous, to the period of its muster out at Bal- 
timore on the 31st of August, 1865. 

The 147th Regiment, comprised among other volunteers from 
Benton, Lafayette and Henry counties, organized under Col. Milton 
Peden on the 13th of March, 1865, at Indianapolis. It shared a 
fortune similar to that of the 146th, and returned for discharge on 
the 9th of August, 1865. 

The 148th Regiment, under Col. N. R. Ruckle, left the State 
capital on the 28th of February, 1865, and reporting at Nashville, 
was sent on guard and garrison duty into the heart of Tennessee. 
Returning to Indianapolis on the 8th of September, it received a 
final discharge. 

The 149th Regiment was organized at Indianapolis by Col. W. 
H. Fairbanks, and left on the 3d of March, 1865, for Tennessee, 
where it had the. honor of receiving the surrender of the rebel 
forces, and military stores of Generals Roddy and Polk. The reg- 
iment was welcomed home by Morton on the 29th of September. 

The 150th Regiment, under Col. M. B. Taylor, mustered in on the 
9th of March, 1865, left for the South on the 13th and reported at 
Harper's Ferry on the 17th. This regiment did guard duty at 
Charleston, Winchester, Stevenson Station, Gordon's Springs, and 
after a service characterized by utility, returned on the 9th of 
August to Indianapolis for discharge. 

The 151st Regiment, under Col. J. Healy, arrived at Nashville on 
the 9th of March, 1865. On the 14th a movement on Tullahoma 
was undertaken, and three months later returned to Nashville for 
garrison duty to the close of the war. It was mustered out on the 
22d of September, 1865. 

The 152d Regiment was organized at Indianapolis, under Col. 



HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 



iXl 



W. W Griswold, and left for Harper's Ferry on the 18th of March, 
1865. It was attached to the provisional divisions of Shenandoah 
Armj, and engaged until the 1st of September, when it was dis- 
charged at Indianapolis. 

The 153d Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 1st of 
March, 1865, under Col. O. H. P. Carey. It reported at Louis- 
ville, and by order of Gen. Palmer, was held on service in Ken- 
tucky, where it was occupied in the exciting but very dangerous 
pastime of fighting Southern guerrillas. Later it was posted at 
Louisville, until mustered out on the 4th of September, 1865. 

The 154th Regiment, organized under Col. Frank Wilcox, left 
Indianapolis under Major Simpson, for Parkersburg, W. Virginia, 
on the 28th of April, 1865. It was assigned to guard and garrison 
duty until its discharge on the 4th of August, 1865. 

The 155th Regiment, recruited throughout the^tate, left on the 
26th of April for Washington, and was afterward assigned to a 
provisional Brigade of the Ninth Army Corps at Alexandria. The 
companies of this regiment were scattered over the country, — at 
Dover, Centreville, Wilmington, and Salisbury, but becoming re- 
united on the 4th of August, 1865, it was mustered out at Dover, 
Delaware. 

The 156th Battalion, under Lieut.-Colonel Charles M. Smith, 
left en route to the Shenandoah Valley on the 27th of April, 1865, 
where it continued doing guard duty to the period of its muster 
out the 4th of August, 1865, at Winchester, Virginia. 

On the return of these regiments to Indianapolis, Gov. Morton 
and the people received them with all that characteristic cordiality 
and enthusiasm peculiarly their own. 

INDEPF.NDENT cavalry company of INDIANA VOLUNTEERS. 

The people of Crawford county, animated with that inspiriting 
patriotism which the war drew forth, organized this mounted com- 
pany on the 25th of July, 1863, and placed it at the disposal of 
the Government, and it was mustered into service by order of the 
War Secretary, on the 13th of August, 1863, under Captain L. 
Lamb. To the close of the year it engaged in the laudable pursuit 
of arresting deserters and enforcing the draft; however, on the 
18th of January, 1864, it was reconstituted and incorporated with 
the Thirteenth Cavalry, with which it continued to serve until the 
treason of Americans against America was conquered. 



182 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

OUR COLORED TROOPS. 

The 28th Regiment of Colored Troops was recruited through- 
out the State of Indiana, and under Lieut.-Colonel Charles S. 
Russell, left Indianapolis for the fronton the 24th of April, 1864. 
The regiment acted very well in its first engagement with the 
rebels at White House, Y irginia, and again with Gen. Sheridan's 
Cavalry, in the swamps of the Chickahominy. In the battle of 
the " Crater," it lost half its roster; but their place was soon filled 
by other colored recruits from the State, and Russell promoted to 
the Colonelcy, and afterward to Brevet Brigadier-General, when he 
was succeeded in the command^ by Major Thomas H. Logan. 
During the few months of its active service it accumulated quite a 
history, and was ultimately discharged, on the 8th of January, 
1866, at Indianapolis. 

BATTERIES OF LIGHT ARTILLERY, 

First Battery, organized at Evansville, under Captain Martin 
Klauss, and mustered in on the 16th of August, 1861, joined Gen. 
Fremont's army immediately, and entering readily upon its salu- 
tary course, aided in the capture of 950 rebels and their position 
at Blackwater creek. On March the 6th, 1862 at Elkhorn Tavern, 
and on the 8th at Pea Ridge, the battery performed good service. 
Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Jackson, the Teche country, Sabine 
Cross Roads, Grand Encore, all tell of its efficacy. In 1864 it was 
subjected to reorganization, when Lawrence Jacoby was raised to 
the Captiancy, vice Klauss resigned. After a long term of useful 
service, it was mustered out at Indianapolis on the 18th of August, 
1865. 

Second Battery was organized, under Captain D. G. Rabb, at 
Indianapolis on the 9th of August, 1861, and one month later pro- 
ceeded to the front. It participated in the campaign against Col. 
Coffee's irregular troops and the rebellious Indians of the Cherokee 
nation. From Lone Jack, Missouri, to Jenkin's Ferry and Fort 
Smith it won signal honors until its reorganization in 1864, and 
even after, to June, 1865, it maintained a very fair reputation. 

The Third Battery, under Capt. W. W. Frybarger, was organ- 
ized and mustered in at Connersville on the 24th of August, 1861, 
and proceeded immediately to join Fremont's Army of the Mis- 
souri. Moon's Mill, Kirksville, Meridian, Fort de Russy, Alex- 
andria, Round Lake, Tupelo, Clinton and Tallahatchie are names 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 183 

which may be engraven on its guns. It participated in the affairs 
before Nashville on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, when 
General Hood's Army was put to route, and at Fort Blakely, out- 
side Mobile, after which it returned home to report for discharge, 
August 21, 1865. 

The Fourth Battery, recruited in La Porte, Porter and Lake 
counties, reported at the front early in October, 1861, and at once 
assumed a prominent place in the army of Gen. Buell. Again 
under Rosencrans and McOook and under General Sheridan at 
Stone River, the services of this battery were much praised, and it 
retained its well-earned reputation to the very day of its muster out 
— the 1st of August, 1865. Its first organization was completed 
under Oapt. A. K. Bush, and reorganized in Oct., 1864, under Capt 
B. F. Johnson. 

The Fifth Battery was furnished by La Porte, Allen, Whitley 
and Noble counties, organized under Capt. Peter Simonson, and mus- 
tered into service on the 22d of November, 1861. It comprised 
four six pounders, two being rifled cannon, and two twelve-pounder 
Howitzers with a force of 158 men. Reporting at Camp Gil* 
bert, Louisville, on the 29th, it was shortly after assigned to the 
division of Gen. Mitchell, at Bacon Creek. During its term, it 
served in twenty battles and numerous petty actions, losing its Cap- 
tain at Pine Mountain. The total loss accruing to the battery was 
84 men and officers and four guns. It was mustered out on the 
20th of July, 1864. 

The Sixth Battery was recruited at Evansville, under Captain 
Frederick Behr, and left, on the 2d of Oct., 1861, for the front, 
reporting at Henderson, Kentucky, a few days after. Early in 
1862 it joined Gen. Sherman's army at Paducah, and participated 
in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April. Its history grew in 
brilliancy until the era of peace insured a cessation of its great 
labors. 

The Seventh Battery comprised volunteers from Terre Haute, 
Arcadia, Evansville, Salem, Lawrenceburg, Columbus, Vin- 
cennes and Indianapolis, under Samuel J. Harris as its first 
Captain, who was succeeded by G. R. Shallow and O. H. Mor- 
gan after its reorganization. From the siege of Corinth to th© 
capture of Atlanta it performed vast services, and returned to 
Indianapolis on the llth of July, 1865, to be received by the peo- 
ple and hear its history from the lips of the veteran patriot and 
Governor of the State. 



184 HISTORY OF IxNDIANA. 

The Eighth Battery, under Captain G. T. Cochran, arrived at 
the front on the 26th of February, 1862, and subsequently entered 
upon its real duties at the siege of Corinth, It served with dis- 
tinction throughout, and concluded a well-made campaign under 
Will Stokes, who was appointed Captain of the companies with 
which it was consolidated in March, 1865. 

The Ninth Battery. The organization of this battery was 
perfected at Indianapolis, on the Ist of January, 1862, under Capt. 
N. S. Thompson. Moving to the front it participated in the affairs 
of Shiloh, Corinth, Queen's Hill, Meridian, Fort Dick Taylor, Fort 
de Russy, Henderson's Hill, Pleasant Hill, Cotile Landing, Bayou 
Kapids, Mansura, Chicot, and many others, winning a name in 
each engagement. The explosion of the steamer Eclipse at Johnson- 
ville, above Paducah, on Jan. 27, 1865, resulted in the destruction of 
58 men, leaving only ten to represent the battery. The survivors 
reached Indianapolis on the 6th of March, and were mustered out. 

The Tenth Battery was recruited at Lafayette, and mustered in 
under Capt. Jerome B. Cox, in January, 1861. Having passed 
through the Kentucky campaign against Gen. Bragg, it partici- 
pated in many of the great engagements, and finally returned to 
report for discharge on the 6th of July, 1864, having, in the mean- 
time, won a very fair fame. 

The Eleventh Battery was organized at Lafayette, and mus- 
tered in at Indianapolis under Capt. Arnold Sutermeister, on the 
17th of December, 1861. On most of the principal battle-fields, 
from Shiloh, in 1862, to thecapture of Atlanta, it maintained a high 
reputation for miHtary excellence, and after consolidation with the 
Eighteenth, mustered out on the 7th of June, 1865. 

The Twelfth Battery was recruited at Jeffersonville and sub- 
sequently mustered in at Indianapolis. On the 6th of March, 1862, 
it reached Nashville, having been previously assigned to Buell's 
Army. In April its Captain, G. W. Sterling, resigned, and the 
position devolved on Capt. James E. White, who, in turn, was suc- 
ceeded by James A. Dunwoody. The record of the battery holds 
a first place in the history of the period, and enabled both men and 
oflBcers to look back with pride upon the battle-fields of the land. 
It was ordered home in June, 1865, and on reaching Indianapolis, 
on the 1st of July, was mustered out on the 7th of that month. 

The Thirteenth Battery was organized under Captain Sewell 
Coulson, during the winter of 1861, at Indianapolis, and proceeded 
to the front iu February, 1862. During the subsequent months it 



HISTORT OF INDIANA. ^^'^ 

was occupied Id the pursuit of John H. Morgan's raiders, and 
aided effectively in driving them from Kentucky. This artillery 
company returned from the South on the 4th of July, 1865, and 
were discharged the day following. 

The Fourteenth Battery, recruited in "Wabash, Miami, Lafay- 
ette, and Huntington counties, under Captain M. 11. Kidd, and 
Lieutenant J. W. H. McGuire, left Indianapolis on the 11th of 
April, 1862, and within a few months one portion of it was cap- 
tured at Lexington by Gen. Forrest's great cavalry command. The 
main battery lost two guns and two men at Guntown, on the Mis- 
sissippi, but proved more successful at Nashville and Mobile. It 
arrived home on the 29th of August, 1865, received a public wel- 
come, and its final discharge. 

The Fifteenth Battery, under Captain I. C. H. Von Sehlin, 
was retained on duty from the date of its organization, at Indian- 
apolis, until the 5th of July, 1862, when it was moved to Harper's 
Ferry. Two months later the gallant defense of Maryland Heights 
was set at naught by the rebel Stonewall Jackson, and the entire 
garrison surrendered. Being paroled, it was reorganized at Indian- 
apolis, and appeared again in the field in March, 1863, where it 
won a splendid renown on every well-fought field to the close of 
the war. It was mustered out on the 24th of June, 1865. 

The Sixteenth Batfery was organized at Lafayette, under 
Capt. Charles A. Nay lor, and on the 1st of June, 1862, left for 
Washington. Moving to the front with Gen. Pope's command, it 
participated m the battle of Slaughter Mountain, on the 9th of 
August, and South Mountain, and Antietam, under Gen, McClel- 
lan. This battery was engaged in a large number of general en- 
gagements and flying column afiairs, won a very favorable record, 
and returned on the 5th of July, 1865. 

The Seventeenth Battery, under Capt. Milton L. Miner, was 
mustered in at Indianapolis, on the 20th of May, 1862, left for the 
front on the 5th of July, and subsequently engaged in the Gettys- 
burg expedition, was present at Harper's Ferry, July 6, 1863, and 
at Opequan on the 19th of September. Fisher's Hill, New Mar- 
ket, and Cedar Creek brought it additional honors, and won from 
Gen. Sheridan a tribute of praise for its service on these battle 
grounds. Ordered from Winchester to Indianapolis it was mus- 
tered out there on the 3d of July, 1865. 

The Eighteenth Battery, under Capt. Eli Lilly, left for the 



186 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

front in August, 1862, but did not take a leading part in the cam- 
paign until 1863, when, under Gen. Rosencrans, it appeared prom- 
inent at Hoover's Gap. From this period to the affairs of West 
Point and Macon, it performed first-class service, and returned to 
its State on the 25th of June, 1865. 

The Nineteenth Battery was mustered into service at Indian- 
apolis, on the 5th of August, 1862, under Capt. S. J. Harris, and 
proceeded immediately afterward to the front, where it participated 
in the campaign against Gen. Bragg. It was present at every post 
of danger to the end of the war, when, after the surrender of John- 
son's army, it returned to Indianapolis. Reaching that city on 
the 6th of June, 1865, it was treated to a public reception and 
received the congratulations of Gov. Morton. Four days later it 
was discharged. 

The Twentieth Battery, organized under Capt. Frank A. Rose, 
left the State capital on the ITth of December, 1862, for the front, 
and reported immediately at Henderson, Kentucky. Subsequently 
Captain Rose resigned,, and, in 1863, under Capt. Osborn, turned 
over its guns to the 11th Indiana Battery, and was assigned to the 
charge of siege guns at Nashville. Gov, Morton had the battery 
supplied with new field pieces, and by the 5th of October, 1863, it 
was again in the field, where it won many honors under Sherman, 
and continued to exercise a great influence until its return on the 
23d of June, 1865. 

The Twenty-first Battery recruited at Indianapolis, under the 
direction of Captain W. W. Andrew, left on the 9th of September, 
1862, for Covington, Kentucky, to aid in its defense against the 
advancing forces of Gen. Kirby Smith. It was engaged in numerous 
military affairs and may be said to acquire many honors, although 
its record is stained with the names of seven deserters. The battery 
was discharged on the 21st of June, 1865. 

The Twenty-second Battery was mustered in at Indianapolis 
on the 15th of December, 1862, under Capt. B. F. Denning, and 
moved at once to the front. It took a very conspicuous part in the 
pursuit of Morgan's Cavalry, and in many other affairs. It threw 
the first shot into Atlanta, and lost its Captain, who was killed in 
the skirmish line, on the 1st of July. While the list of casualties 
numbers only 35, that of desertions numbers 37. This battery was 
received with public honors on its return, the 25th of June, 1865, 
and mustered out on the 7th of the same month. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 187 

The Twenty-third Battery, recruited in October 1862, and 
mustered in on the 8th of November, under Capt. I. H. Myers, pro- 
ceeded south, after having rendered very efficient services at home 
in guarding the camps of rebel prisoners. In July, 1865, the battery 
took an active part, under General Boyle's command, in routing 
and capturing the raiders at Brandenburgh, and subsequently to 
the close of the war performed very brilliant exploits, reaching 
Indianapolis in June, 1865. It was discharged on the 27th of that 
month. 

The Twenty-fourth Battery, under Capt. I. A. Simms, was 
enrolled for service on the 29th of November, 1862; remained 
at Indianapolis on duty until the 13th of March, 1863, when 
it left for the field. From its participation in the Cumberland 
River campaign, to its last engagement at Columbia, Tennessee, it 
aided materially in bringing victory to the Union ranks and made 
for itself a widespread fame. Arriving at Indianapolis on the 28th 
of July, it was publicly received, and in five days later disembodied. 

The Twenty-fifth Battery was recruited in September and Oc- 
tober, 1864, and mustered into service for one year, under Capt. 
Frederick C. Sturm. December 13th, it reported at Nashville, and 
took a prominent part in the defeat of Gen. Hood's army. Its 
duties until July, 1865, were continuous, when it returned to 
report for final discharge. 

The Twenty-sixth Battery, or "Wilder's Battery," was re- 
cruited under Capt. I. T. Wilder, of Greensburg, in May, 1861; but 
was not mustered in as an artillery company. Incorporating itself 
with a regiment then forming at Indianapolis it was mustered as 
company "A," of the 17th Infantry, with Wilder as Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the regiment. Subsequently, at Elk Water, Virginia, 
it was converted into the "First Independent Battery," and became 
known as " Rigby's Battery." The record of this battery is as 
brilliant as any won during the war. On every field it has won a 
distinct reputation; it was well worthy the enthusiastic reception 
given to it on its return to Indianapolis on the 11th and 12th of 
July, 1865. During its term of service it was subject to many 
transmutations; but in every phase of its brief history, areputation 
for gallantry and patriotism was maintained which now forms a 
living testimonial to its services to the public. 

The total number of battles in <-he " War of the Rebellion " in 
which the patriotic citizens of the great and noble State of Indiana 
were more or less engaged, was as follows: 



188 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

Locality. No. of Battles. Locality. No of Battles. 

Vi^^n^ia 90 Maryland 7 

Tennessee 51 Texas 3 

Georgia 41 South Carolina 2 

Mississippi 24 Indian Territory 2 

Arkaasas 19 Pennsylvania 1 

Kentucky 16 Ohio 1 

Louisana 15 Indiana 1 

Missouri .... 9 

North Carolina 8 Total 308 

The regiments sent forth to the defense of the Republic in the 
hour of its greatest peril, when a host of her own sons, blinded by 
some unholy infatuation, leaped to arms that they might trample 
upon the liberty-giving principles of the nation, have been passed 
in very brief review. The authorities chosen for the dates, names, 
and figures are the records of the State, and the main subject is 
based upon the actions of those 267,000 gallant men of Indiana 
who rushed to arms in defense of all for which their fathers bled, 
leaving their wives and children and homes in the guardianship of 
a truly paternal Government. 

The relation of Indiana to the Republic was then established; 
for when the population of the State, at the time her sons went 
forth to participate in war for the maintenance of the Union, ia 
brought into comparison with all other States and countries, it will 
be apparent that the sacrifices made by Indiana from 1861-'65 
equal, if not actually exceed, the noblest of those recorded in the 
history of ancient or modern times. 

Unprepared for the terrible inundation of modern wickedness, 
which threatened to deluge the country in a sea of blood and rob, 
a people of their richest, their most prized inheritance, the State 
rose above all precedent, and under the benign influence of patriot- 
ism, guided by the well-directed zeal of a wise Governor and 
Government, sent into the field an army that in numbers was 
gigantic, and in moral and physical excellence never equaled 

It is laid down in the ofticial reports, furnished to the War De- 
partment, that over 200,000 troops were specially organized to aid 
in crushing the legions of the slave-holder; that no less than 50,000 
militia were armed to defend the State, and that the large, but abso- 
lutely necessary number of commissions issued was 17,114. All 
this proves the scientific skill and military economy exercised by 
the Governor, and brought to the aid of the people in a most terri- 
ble emergency; for he, with some prophetic sense of the gravity of 
the situation, saw that unless the greatest powers of the Union 
were put forth to crush the least justifiable and most pernicious 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 18S 

of all rebellions holding a place in the record of nations, the best 
blood of the country would flow in a vain attempt to avert a catas- 
trophe which, if prolonged for many years, would result in at least 
the moral and commercial ruin of the country. 

The part which Indiana took in the war against the Rebellion is 
one of which the citizens of the State may well be proud. In the 
number of troops furnished, and in the amount of voluntary con- 
tributions rendered, Indiana, in proportion and wealth, stands 
equal to any of her sister States. " It is also a subject of gratitude 
and thankfulness," said Gov. Morton, in his message to the Legis- 
lature, " that, while the number of troops furnished by Indiana 
alone in this great contest would have done credit to a first-class 
nation, measured by the standard of previous wars, not a single 
battery or battalion from this State has brought reproach upon the 
national flag, and no disaster of the war can be traced to any want 
of fidelity, courage or efficiency on the part of any Indiana officer. 
The endurance, heroism, intelligence and skill of the officers and 
soldiers sent forth by Indiana to do battle for the Union, have shed 
a luster on our beloved State, of which any people might justly be 
proud. "Without claiming superiority over our loyal sister States, 
it is but justice to the brave men who have represented us on 
almost every battle-field of the war, to say that their deeds have 
placed Indiana in the front rank of those heroic States which 
rushed to the rescue »f the imperiled Government of the nation. 
The total number of troops furnished by the State for all terms of 
service exceeds 200,000 men, much the greater portion of them 
being for three years; and in addition thereto not less than 50,000 
State militia have from time to time been called into active service 
to repel rebel raids and defend our southern border from inva- 
sion." 

AFTER THE WAR. 

In 1867 the Legislature comprised 91 Republicans and 59 Dem- 
ocrats. Soon after the commencement of the session. Gov. Morton 
resigned his office in consequence of having been elected to the TJ. 
S. Senate, and Lieut.-Gov. Conrad Baker assumed the Executive 
chair during the remainder of Morton's term. This Legislature, 
by a very decisive vote, ratified the 14th amendment to the Federal 
Constitution, constituting all persons born in the country or sub- 
ject to its jurisdiction, citizens of the United States and of the 
State wherein they reside, without regard to race or color; reduc- 



190 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

ing the Congressional representation in any State in which there 
should be a restriction of the exercise of the elective franchise on 
account of race or color; disfranchising persons therein named 
who shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
United States; and declaring that the validity of the public debt 
of the United States authorized by law, shall not be questioned. 

This Legislature also passed an act providing for the registry of 
votes, the punishment of fraudulent practices at elections, and for 
the apportionment and compensation of a Board of Registration; 
this Board to consist, in each township, of two freeholders appointed 
by the County Commissioners, together with the trustee of such 
township; in cities the freeholders are to be appointed in each 
ward by the city council. The measures of this law are very strict, 
and are faithfully executed. No cries of fraud in elections are 
heard in connection with Indiana. 

This Legislature also divided the State into eleven Congressional 
Districts and apportioned their representation; enacted a law for 
the protection and indemnity of all officers and soldiers of ^he 
Tuited States and soldiers of the Indiana Legion, for acts done in 
'he military service of the United States, and in the military ser- 
vice of the State, and in enforcing the laws and preserving the 
jteace of the country; made definite appropriations to the several 
benevolent institutions of the State, and adopted several measures 
for the encouragement of education, etc. 

In 1868, Indiana was the first in the field of national politics, 
both the principal parties holding State conventions early in the 
year. The Democrats nominated T. A. Hendricks for Governor, 
and denounced in their platform the reconstruction policy of the 
Republicans; recommended that United States treasury notes be 
substituted for national bank currency; denied that the General 
Government had a right to interfere with the question of sufi'rage 
in any of the States, and opposed negro suffrage, etc. ; while the 
Republicans nominated Conrad Baker for Governor, defended its 
reconstruction policy, opposed a further contraction of the currency, 
etc. The campaign was an exciting one, and Mr. Baker was 
elected Governor by a majority of only 961. In the Presidential 
election that soon followed the State gave Grant 9,572 more than 
Seymour. 

During 1868 Indiana presented claims to the Government for 
about three and a half millions dollars for expenses incurred in the 
war, and $1,958,917.94 was allowed. Also, this year, a legislative 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 193 

commission reported that $413,599.48 were allowed to parties suf- 
fering loss by the Morgan raid. 

This year Governor Baker obtained a site for the House of 
Kefuge. (See a subsequent page.) The Soldiers' and Seamen's 
Home, near Knightstown, originally established by private enter- 
prise and benevolence, and adopted by the Legislature of the 
previous year, was in a good condition. Up to that date the insti- 
tution had afforded relief and temporary subsistence to 400 men 
who had been disabled in the war. A substantial brick building 
had been built for the home, while the old buildings were used for 
an orphans' department, in which were gathered 86 children of 
deceased soldiers. 

DIYORCE LAWS. 

By some mistake or liberal design, the early statute laws of 
Indiana on the subject of divorce were rather more loose than those 
of most other States in this Union ; and this subject had been a 
matter of so much jest among the public, that in 1870 the Governor 
recommended to the Legislature a reform in this direction, which 
was pretty effectually carried out. Since that time divorces can 
be granted only for the following causes: 1. Adultery. 2. Impo- 
tency existing at the time of marriage. 3. Abandonment for two 
years. 4. Cruel and inhuman treatment of one party by the other. 
6. Habitual drunkenness of either party, or the failure of the hus- 
band to make reasonable provision for the family. 6 The failure 
of the husband to make reasonable provision for the family for & 
period of two years. 7. The conviction of either party of an infamous 



FINANCIAL. 

Were it not for political government the pioneers would have got 
along without money much longer than they did. The pressure of 
governmental needs was somewhat in advance of the monetary 
income of the first settlers, and the little taxation required to carry 
on the government seemed great and even oppressive, especially at 
certain periods. 

In November, 1821, Gov, Jennings convened the Legislature in 
extra session to provide for the payment of interest on the State 
debt and a part of the principal, amounting to $20,000. It was 
thought that a sufficient amount would be realized in the notes of 
the State bank and its branches, although they were considerably 
depreciated.. Said the Governor: " It will be oppressive if the 
State, after the paper of this institution (State bank) was author- 
ized to be circulated in revenue, should be prevented by any assign^ 
ment of the evidences of existing debt, from discharging at least 
60 much of that debt with the paper of the bank as will absorb the 
collections of the present year; especially when their notes, after 
being made receivable by the agents of the State, became greatly 
depreciated by great mismanagement on the part of the bank 
itself. It ought not to be expected that a public loss to the State 
should be avoided by resorting to any measures which would not 
comport with correct views of public justice; nor should it be 
anticipated that the treasury of the United States would ultimately 
adopt measures to secure an uncertain debt which would inter- 
fere with arrangements calculated to adjust the demand against the 
State without producing any additional embarrassment." 

The state of the public debt was indeed embarrassing, as the 
bonds which had been executed in its behalf had been assigned. 
The exciting cause of this proceeding consisted in the machinations 
of unprincipled speculators. Whatever disposition the principal 
bank may have made of the funds deposited by the United States, 
the connection of interest between the steam-mill company and the 
bank, and the extraordinary accommodations, as well as their amount, 
effected by arrangements of the steam-mill agency and some of 
the officers of the bank, were among the principal causes which 

(194) 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 295 

had prostrated the paper circulating medium of the State, so far as it 
was dependent on the State bank and its branches. An abnormal 
state of affairs like this very naturally produced a blind disburse- 
ment of the fund to some extent, and this disbursement would be 
called by almost every one an '* unwise administration." 

Durinor the first 16 years of this century, the belligerent condi- 
tion of Europe called for agricultural supplies from America, and 
the consequent high price of grain justified even the remote pio- 
neers of Indiana in undertaking the tedious transportation of the 
products of the soil which the times forced upon them. The large 
disbursements made by the general Government among the peo- 
ple naturally engendered a rage for speculation; numerous banks 
with fictitious capital were established; immense issues of paper 
were made; and the circulating medium of the country was in- 
creased fourfold in the course of two or three years. This infla- 
tion produced the consequences which always follow such a scheme, 
namely, unfounded visions of wealth and splendor and the wild 
investments which result in ruin to the many and wealth to the 
few. The year 1S21 was consequently one of great financial panic, 
and was the first experienced by the early settlers of the West. 

In 1822 the new Governor, William Hendricks, took a hopeful 
view of the situation, referring particularly to the " agricultural 
and social happiness of the State." The crops were abundant this 
year, immigration was setting in heavily and everything seemed to 
have an upward look. But the customs of the white race still com- 
pelling them to patronize European industries, combined with the 
remoteness of the surplus produce of Indiana from European mar- 
kets, constituted a serious drawback to the accumulation of wealth. 
Such a state of things naturally changed the habits of the people 
to some extent, at least for a shcrt time, assimilating them to those 
of more primitive tribes. This change of custom, however, was 
not severe and protracted enough to change the intelligent and 
social nature of the people, and they arose to their normal height 
on the very first opportunity. 

In 1822-'3, before speculation started up again, the surplus 
money was invested mainly in domestic manufactories instead of 
other and wilder commercial enterprises. Home manufactories 
were what the people needed to make them more independent. 
They not only gave employment to thousands whose services were 
before that valueless, but also created a market for a great portion 



196 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

of the surplus produce of the farmers. A part of the surphis cap- 
ital, however, was also sunk in internal improvements, some of 
which were unsuccessful for a time, but eventually proved remu- 
nerative. 

Noah Noble occupied the Executive chair of the State from 1831 
to 1837, commencing his duties amid peculiar embarrassments. 
The crops of 1832 were short, Asiatic cholera came sweeping along 
the Ohio and into the interior of the State, and the Black Hawk war 
raged in the Northwest, — all these at once, and yet the work of 
internal improvements was actually begun. 

STATE BANK. 

The State bank of Indiana was established by law January 28, 
1834. The act of the Legislature, by its own terms, ceased to be a 
law, January 1, 1867. At the time of its organization in 1834, its 
outstanding circulation was $4,208,725, with a debt due to the insti- 
tution, principally from citizens of the State, of $6,095,368. During 
the years 1857-'58 the bank redeemed nearly its entire circulation, 
providing for the redemption of all outstanding obligations; at this 
time it had collected from most of its debtors the money which they 
owed. The amounts of the State's interest in the stock of the bank 
was $1,390,000, and the money thus invested was procured by the 
issue of five per cent bonds, the last of which was payable July 1,1866. 
The nominal profits of the bank were $2,780,604.36. By the law 
creating the sinking fund, that fund was appropriated, first, to pay 
the principal artd interest on the bonds; secondly, the expenses of 
the Commissioners; and lastly the cause of common-school educa- 
tion. 

The stock in all the branches authorized was subscribed by indi- 
viduals, and the installment paid as required by the charter. The 
loan authorized for the payment on the stock allotted to the State, 
amounting to $500,000, was obtained at a premium of 1.05 per 
per cent, on five per cent, stock, making the sum of over $5,000 on 
the amount borrowed. In 1836 we find that the State bank was 
doing good service; agricultural products were abundant, and the 
market was good; consequently the people were in the full enjoy- 
ment of all the blessings of a free government. 

By the year 1843 the State was experiencing the disasters and 
embarassment consequent upon a system of over-banking, and its 
natural progeny, over-trading and deceptive speculation. Such a 
state of things tends to relax the hand of industry by creating false 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 197 

notions of wealth, and tempt to sudden acquisitions by means as delu- 
sive in their results as they are contrary to a primary law of nature. 
The people began more than ever to see the necessity of falling 
back upon that branch of industry for which Indiana, especially 
at that time, was particularly fitted, namely, agriculture, as the 
true and lasting source of substantial wealth. 

Gov, Whitcomb, 1843-'49, succeeded well in maintaining the 
credit of the State. Measures of compromise between the State 
and its creditors were adopted by which, nltimately, the public 
works, although incomplete, were given in payment for the claims 
against the Government. 

At the close of his term, Gov. Whitcomb was elected to the 
Senate of the United States, and from December, 1848, to Decem- 
ber, 1849, Lieut-Gov. Paris C. Dunning was acting Governor. 

In 1851 a general banking law was adopted which gave a new 
impetus to the commerce of the State, and opened the way for a 
broader volume of general trade; but this law was the source of 
many abuses; currency was expanded, a delusive idea of wealth 
again prevailed, and as a consequence, a great deal of damaging 
speculation was indulged in. 

In 1857 the charter of the State bank expired, and the large 
gains to the State in that institution were directed to the promotion 
of common-school education. 

WEALTH AND PROGRESS. 

During the war of the Kebellion the financial condition of the 
people was of course like that of the other Northern States generally. 
1870 found the State in a very prosperous condition. October 31 
of this year, the date of the fiscal report, there was a surjilus of 
$373,249 in the treasury. The receipts of the year amounted to 
$3,605,639, and the disbursements to $2,943,600, leaving a balance 
of $1,035,288. The total debt of the State in November, 1871, was 
$3,937,821. 

At the present time the principal articles of export from the State 
are flour and pork. Nearly all the wheat raised within the State 
is manufactured into flour within its limits, especially in the north- 
ern part. The pork business is the leading one in the southern 
part of the State. 

When we take into consideration the vast extent of railroad lines 
in this State, in connection with the agricultural and mineral 
resources, both developed and undeveloped, as already noted, we can 



198 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

see what a substantial foundation exists for the future welfare of 
this great commonwealth. Almost every portion of the State is 
coming up equally. The disposition to monopolize does not exist 
to a greater degree than is desirable or necessary for healthy compe- 
tition. Speculators in flour, pork and other commodities appeared 
during the war, but generally came to ruin at their own game. 
The agricultural community here is an independent one, under- 
standing its rights, and " knowing them will maintain them." 

Indiana is more a manufacturing State, also, than many imagine. 
It probably has the greatest wagon and carriage manufr.ctory in the 
world. In 1875 the total number of manufacturing establishments 
in this State was 16,812; number of steam engines, 3,684, with a 
total horse-power of 114,961; the total horse-power of water wheels, 
38,614; number of hands employed in the manufactories, 86,402; 
capital employed, is $117,462,161; wages paid, $35,461,987; cost of 
material,' $104,321,632; value of products, $301,304,271. These 
figures are on an average about twice what they were only five years 
previously, at which time they were about double what they were 
ten years before that. In manufacturing enterprise, it is said that 
Indiana, in proportion to her population, is considerably in advance 
of Illinois and Michigan. 

In 1870 the assessed valuation of the real estate in Indiana was 
$460,120,974; of personal estate, $203,334,070; true valuation of 
both, $1,268,180,543. According to the evidences of increase at 
that time, the value of taxable property in this State must be double 
the foregoing figures. This is utterly astonishing, especially when 
we consider what a large matter it is to double the elements of a 
large and wealthy State, compared with its increase in infancy. 

The taxation for State purposes in 1870 amounted to $2,943,078; 
for county purposes, $4,654,476; and for municipal purposes, 
$3,193,577. The total county debt of Indiana in 1870 was $1,127,- 
269, and the total debt of towns, cities, etc., was $2,523,934. 

In the compilation of this statistical matter we have before us the 
statistics of every element of progress in Indiana, in the U. S. 
Census Reports; but as it would be really improper for us further 
to burden these pages with tables or columns of large numbers, we 
will conclude by remarking that if any one wishes further details in 
these matters, he can readily find them in the Census Reports of 
the Government in any city or village in the country. Besides, 
almost any one can obtain, free of charge, from his representative in 



illSTOLT OF JNPTd.NA. 1^9 

Congress, all Llie&<3 and oilici ua Snc documents in which ha may l»o 
iuterebted. 

INTERNAL IMPKOVEMENTS. 

This subject began to be agitated as early as 1818, during the 
adniiuistratiou of Governor Jennings, who, as well as all the 
Governors succeeding him to 1843, made it a special point in their 
messages to the Legislature to urge the adoption of measures for 
the construction of highways and canals and the improvement of 
the navigation of rivers. Gov. Hendricks in 1822 specified as the 
most important improvement the navigation of the Falls of the 
Ohio, the Wabash and White rivers, and other streams, and the 
construction of the National and other roads through the State. 

In 1826 Governor Kay considered the construction of roads and 
canals as a necessity to place the State on an equal financial footing 
with the older States East, and in 1829 he added: "Titis subject 
can never grow irksome, since it must be the source of the bless-' 
ings of civilized life. To secure its benefits is a duty enjoined upon 
the Legislature by the obligations of the social compact." 

In 1830 the people became much excited over the project of con- 
necting the streams of the country by " The National New York 
& Mississippi railroad." The National road and the Michigan 
and Ohio turnpike were enterprises in whicli the people and Legis- 
lature of Indiana were interested. The latter had already been the 
cause of much bitter controversy, and its location was then the 
subject of contention. 

In 1832 the work of internal improvements fairly commenced, 
despite the partial failure of the crops, the Black Hawk war and 
the Asiatic cholera. Several war parties invaded the Western 
settlements, exciting great alarm and some suffering. This year 
the canal commissioners completed the task assigned them and had 
negotiated the canal bonds in New York city, to the amount of 
$100,000, at a premium of 13|- per cent, on terms honorable to the 
State and advantageous to the work. Before the close of tnis year 
$54,000 were spent for the improv^ement of the Michigan road, and 
$52,000 were realized from the sale of lands ap]'>ropriated for its 
construction. In 1832, 32 miles of the Wabash and Erie canal was 
placed under contract and work commenced. A communication 
was addressed to the Governor of Ohio, requesting him to call the 
attention of the Legislature of that State to the subject of the 
extension of the canal from the Indiana line through Ohio to the 



200 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



Lake. In compliance with this request, Governor Lucas promptly 
laid the subject before the Legislature of the State, and, in a spirit 
of courtesy, resolutions were adopted by that body, stipulating that 
if Ohio should ultimately decline to undertake the completion of 
that portion of the wori^- within her limits before the time fixed by 
the act of Congress for the completion of the canal, she would, on 
just and equitable terms, enable Indiana to avail herself of the bene- 
fit of the lands granted, by authorizing her to sell them and invest 
the proceeds in the stock of a company to be incorporated by Ohio; 
and that she would give Indiana notice of her final determination 
on or before January 1, 1838. The Legislature of Ohio also 
authorized and invited the agent of the State of Indiana to select, 
survey and set apart the lands lying within that State. In keeping 
with this policy Governor Noble, in 1834, said: "With a view of 
engaging in works of internal improvement, the propriety of 
adopting a general plan or system, having reference to the several 
portions of the State, and the connection of one with the other, 
naturally suggests itself. No work should be commenced but such 
as would be of acknowledged public utility, and when completed 
would form a branch of some general system. In view of this 
object, the policy of organizing a Board of Public Works is again 
respectfully suggested." The Governor also called favorable atten- 
tion to the Lawrenceburg & Indianapolis railway, for which a 
charter had been granted. 

In 1835 the Wabash & Erie canal was pushed rapidly forward. 
The middle division, extending from the St. Joseph dam to the 
forks of the Wabash, about 32 miles, was completed, for about 
$232,000, including all repairs. Upon this portion of the line nav- 
igation was opened on July 4, which day the citizens assembled 
*' to witness the mingling of the waters of the St. Joseph with 
those of the Wabash, uniting the waters of the northern chain of 
lakes with those of the Gulf of Mexico in the South." On other 
parts of the line the work progressed with speed, and the sale of 
canal lands was unusually active 

In 1836 the first meeting of the State Board of Internal Im- 
provement was convened and entered upon the discharge of its 
numerous and responsible duties. Having assigned to each mem- 
ber the direction and superintendence of a ptortion of the work, 
the next duty to be performed preparatory to the various spheres of 
active service, was that of procuring the requisite number of 
engineers. A delegation was sent to the Eastern cities, but returned 



HISTOKT OF INDIANA. 201 

without engaging an Engineer-in-Chief for the roads and railways, 
and without the desired number for the subordinate station; but 
after considerable delay the Board was fully organized and put in 
operation. Under their management work on public improve- 
'ments was successful; the canal progressed steadily; the naviga- 
tion of the middle division, from Fort Wayne to Huntington, was 
uninterrupted; 16 miles of the line between Huntington and La 
Fontaine creek were filled with water this year and made ready for 
navigation ; and the remaining 20 miles were completed, except a 
portion of the locks; from La Fontaine creek to Logansport prog- 
ress was made; the line from Georgetown to Lafayette was placed 
under contract; about 30 miles of the Whitewater canal, extending 
from Lawrenceburg through the beautiful valley of the White- 
water to Brookviile, were also placed under contract, as also 2S 
miles of the Central canal, passing through Indianapolis, on which 
work was commenced; also about 20 miles of the southern divis- 
ion of this work, extending from Evansville into the interior, 
were also contracted for; and on the line of the Cross-Cut canal, 
from Terre Haute to the intersection, of the Central canal, near 
the mouth of Eel river, a commencement was also made on all the 
heavy sections. All this in 1836. 

Early in this year a party of engineers was organized, and 
directed to examine into the practicability of the Michigan & 
Erie canal line, then proposed. The report of their operations 
favored its expediency. A party of engineers was also fitted out, 
who entered upon the field of service of the Madison & Lafayette 
railroad, and contracts were let for its construction from Madison 
to Yernon, on which work was vigorously commenced. Also, con- 
tracts were let for grading and bridging the New Albany & Vin- 
cennes road from the former point to Paoli, about 40 miles. 
Other roads were also undertaken and surveyed, so that indeed a 
stupendous system of internal improvement was undertaken, and 
as Gov. Noble truly remarked, upon the issue of that vast enter- 
prise the State of Indiana staked her fortune. She had gone too 
far to retreat. 

In 1837, when Gov. Wallace took the Executive chair, the 
reaction consequent upon 'over work" by the State in the internal 
improvement scheme began to be felt by the people. They feared 
a State debt was being incurred from which they could never be 
extricated; but the Governor did all he could throughout the term 
of his administration to keep up the courage of the citizens. He 



202 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

toid tlicm that the astonishing success so far, aurpa£>sed even the 
hotiCo of the iiioHt saoguine, and that the flattering auspices of tiie 
future were sufficient to dispel every doubt and quiet every fear. 
NotwithslciJiding all his efforts, however, the construction of pub- 
lic works continued to decline, and in his last message he exclaimed: 
" Never before — I speak it advisedly — never before have you wit- 
nessed a period in our local history that more urgently called for 
the exercise of all the soundest and best attributes of grave and 
patriotic legislators, than the present. * * * The 

truth is — and it would be folly to conceal it — we have our hands 
full — full t,o overflowing; and therefore, to sustain ourselves, to 
preserve the credit and character of the State unimpaired, and to 
continue her hitherto unexampled march to wealth and distinction, 
we have not an hour of time, nor a dollar of money, nor a hand 
employed in labor, to squander and dissipate upon mere objects of 
idleness, or taste, or amusement." 

The State had borrowed $3,827,000 for internal improvement pur- 
poses, of which $1,327,000 was for the Wabash & Erie canal and 
the remainder for other works. The five per cent, interest on 
debts— about $200,000— which the State had to pay, had become 
burdensome, as her resources for this purpose were only two, 
besides direct taxation, and they were small, namely, the interest 
on the balances due for canal lands, and the proceeds of the third 
installment of the surplus revenue, both amounting, in 1838, 
to about $45,000. 

In August, 1839, all work ceased on these improvements, with 
one or two exceptions, and most of the contracts were surrendered 
to the State. This was done according to an act of the Legislature 
providing for the compensation of contractors by the issue of 
treasury notes. In addition to this state of aSairs, the Legisla- 
ture of 1839 had made no provision for the payment of interest on 
the State debt incurred for internal improvements. Concerning 
this situation Gov. Bigger, in 1840, said that either to go ahead 
with the works or to abandon them altogether would be equally 
ruinous to the State, the implication being that the people should 
wait a little while for a breathing spell and then take hold again. 

Of course much individual indebtedness was created during the 
progress of the work on internal improvement. When operations 
ceased in 1839, and prices fell at the same time, the people were 
left in a great measure without the means of commanding money 
to pay their debts. This condition of private enterprise more than 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. ZUd 

ever rendered direct taxation inexpedient. Hence it became the 
policy of Gov. Bigger to provide the means of paying the interest 
on the State debt without increasing the rate of taxation, and to 
continue that portion of the public works that could be immedi- 
ately completed, and from which the earliest returns could be 
expected. 

In 1840 the system embraced ten different works, the most im- 
portant of which was the Wabash & Erie canal. The aggregate 
length of the lines embraced in the system was 1,160 miles, and 
of this only 140 miles had been completed. The amount expended 
had reached the sum of $5,600,000, and it required at least $14,000,- 
000 to complete them. Although the crops of 1841 were very 
remunerative, this perquisite alone was not sufficient to raise the 
State again up to the level of going ahead with her gigantic 
works. 

We should here state in detail the amount of work completed and 
of money expended on the various works up to this time, 1841, 
which were as follows: 

1. The Wabash & Erie canal, from the State line to Tippe- 
canoe, 129 miles in length, completed and navigable for the whole 
length, at a cost of $2,041,012. This sum includes the cost of the 
steamboat lock afterward completed at Delphi. 

2. The extension of the Wabash & Erie canal from the mouth 
of the Tippecanoe to Terre Haute, over 104 miles. The estimated 
cost of this v/ork was $1,500,000; and the amount expended for the 
same $408,855. The navigation was at this period opened as far 
down as Lafayette, and a part of the work done in the neighbor- 
hood of Covington. 

3. The cross-cut canal from Terre Haute to Central canal, 
49 miles in length; estimated cost, $718,672; amount expended, 
$420,679; and at this time no part of the course was navigable. 

4. The White Water canal, from Lawrenceburg to the mouth 
of Nettle creek, 76^ miles; estimated cost, $1,675,738; amount 
expended to that date, $1,099,867; and 31 miles of the work 
was navigable, extending from the Ohio river to Brookville. 

5. The Central canal, from the Wabash & Erie canal, to 
Indianapolis, including the feeder bend at Muncietown, 124 miles 
in length; total estimated cost, $2,299,853; amount expended, 
$568,046; eight miles completed at that date, and other portions 
nearly done. 



204 HISTORY OP INDIANA. 

6. Central canal, from Indianapolis to Evansville on the Ohio 
river, 194 miles in length; total estimated cost, $3,532,394; amount 
expended, $831,302, 19 miles of which was completed at that date, 
at the southern end, and 16 miles, extending south from Indianao- 
olis, were nearly completed. 

7. Erie & Michigan canal, 182 miles in length; estimated cost, 
$2,624,823; amount expended, $156,394. No part of this work 
finished. 

8. The Madison & Indianapolis railroad, over 85 miles in 
length; total estimated cost, $2,046,600; amount expended, $1,493,- 
013, Road finished and in operation for about 28 miles; grad- 
ing nearly finished for 27 miles in addition, extending to Eden- 
burg. 

9. Indianapolis & Lafayette turnpike road, 73 miles in length; 
total estimated cost, $593, 737; amount expended, $72,118. The 
bridging and most of the grading was done on 27 miles, from 
Crawfordsville to Lafayette. 

10. New Albany & Yincennes turnpike road, 105 miles in 
length; estimated cost, $1,127,295; amount expended, $654,411. 
Forty-one miles graded and macadamized, extending from New 
Albany to Paoli, and 27 miles in addition partly graded. 

11. Jefferson ville & Crawfordsville road, over 164 miles long; 
total estimated cost, $1,651,800; amount expended, $372,737. 
Forty-five miles were partly graded and bridged, extending from 
Jeffersonville to Salem, and from Greencastle north. 

12. Improvement of the Wabash rapids, undertaken jointly by 
Indiana and Illinois; estimated cost to Indiana, $102,500; amount 
expended by Indiana, $9,539. 

Grand totals: Length of roads and canals, 1,289 miles, only 
281 of which have been finished; estimated cost of all the works, 
$19,914,424; amount expended, $8,164,528. The State debt at 
this time amounted to $18,469,146. The two principal causes 
which aggravated the embarrassment of the State at this juncture 
were, first, paying most of the interest out of the money borrowed, 
and, secondly, selling bonds on credit. The first error subjected 
the State to the payment of compound interest, and the people, 
not feeling the pressure of taxes to discharge the interest, natu- 
rally became inattentive to the public policy pursued. Postpone- 
ment of the payment of interest is demoralizing in every way. 
During this period the State was held up in an unpleasant manner 
before the gaze of the worlds but be it to the credit of this great 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 205 

and glorious State, she would not repudiate, as many other States 
and municipalities have done. 

By the year 1850, the so-called "internal improvement" system 
having been abandoned, private capital and ambition pushed for- 
ward various "public works." During this year about 400 miles 
of plank road were completed, at a cost of $1,200 to $1,500 per 
mile, and about 1,200 miles more were surveyed and in progress. 
There were in the State at this time 212 miles of railroad in suc- 
cessful operation, of which 124 were completed this year. More 
than 1,000 miles of railroad were surveyed and in progress. 

An attempt was made during the session of the Legislature in 
1869 to re-burden the State with the old canal debt, and the matter 
was considerably agitated in the canvass of 1870. The subject of the 
Wabash & Erie canal was lightly touched in the Republican plat- 
form, occasioning considerable discussion, which probably had 
some effect on the election in the fall. That election resulted in 
an average majority in the State of about 2,864 for the Democracy. 
It being claimed that the Legislature had no authority under the 
constitution to tax the people for the purpose of aiding in the con- 
struction of railroads, the Supreme Court, in Anril, 1871, decided 
adversely to such a claim. 

GEOLOGY. 

In 1869 the development of mineral resources in the State 
attracted considerable attention. Rich mines of iron and coal were 
discovered, as also fine quarries of building stone. The Vincennes 
railroad passed through some of the richest portions of the mineral 
region, the engineers of which had accurately determined the 
quality of richness of the ores. Near Brooklyn, about 20 miles^ 
from Indianapolis, is a fine formation of sandstone, yielding good 
material for buildings in the city; indeed, it is considered the beat 
building stone in the State. The limestone formation at Gosport, 
continuing 12 miles from that point, is of great variety, and 
includes the finest and most durable building stone in the world. 
Portions of it are susceptible only to the chisel; other portions are 
soft and can be worked with the ordinary tools. At the end of this 
limestone formation there commences a sandstone series of strata 
which extends seven miles farther, to a point about 60 miles from 
Indianapolis. Here an extensive coal bed is reached consisting of 
seven distinct veins. The first is about two feet thick, the next 
three feet, another four feet, and the others of various thicknesses. 



206 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

These beds are all easily worked, having a natural drain, and they 
yield heavy profits. In the whole of the southwestern part of the« 
State and for 300 miles up the Wabash, coal exists in good quality 
and abundance. 

The scholars, statesmen and philanthropists of Indiana work- 
ed hard and long for the appointment of a State Geologist, with 
sufficient support to enable him to make a thorough geological 
survey of the State. A partial survey was made as early as 1837-'8, 
by David Dale Owen, State Geologist, but nothing more was done 
until 1869, when Prof. Edward T. Cox was appointed State Geolo- 
gist. For 20 years previous to this date the Governors urged and 
insisted in all their messages that a thorough survey should be 
made, but almost, if not quite, in vain. In 1852, Dr. Ryland T. 
Brown delivered an able address on this subject before the Legis- 
lature, showing how much coal, iron, building stone, etc., there 
were probably; in the State, but the exact localities and qualities 
not ascertained, and how millions of money could be saved to the 
State by the expenditure of a few thousand dollars; but "they 
answered the Doctor in the negative. It must have been because 
they hadn't time to pass the bill. They were very busy. They had 
to pass all sorts of regulations concerning the negro. They had to 
protect a good many white people from marrying negroes. And as 
they didn't need any labor in the State, if, it was ' colored,' they 
had to make regulations to shut out all of that kind of labor, and 
to take steps to put out all that unfortunately got in, and they didn't 
have time to consider the scheme proposed by the white people" — 
W. W. 'Clayton. 

In 1853, the State Board of Agriculture employed Dr. Brown to 
make a partial examination of the geology of the State, at a salary 
of $500 a year, and to this Board the credit is due for the final 
success of the philanthropists, who in 1869 had the pleasure of 
witnessing the passage of a Legislative act " to provide for a Depart- 
ment of Geology and Natural Science, in connection with the State 
Board of Agriculture." Under this act Governor Baker immedi- 
ately appointed Prof. Edward T. Cox the State Geologist, who has 
made an able and exhaustive report of the agricultural, mineral 
and manufacturing resources of this State, world-wide in its celeb- 
rity, and a work of which the people of Indiana may be very 
proud. "We can scarcely give even the substance of his report in a 
work like this, because it is of necessity deeply scientific and made 
up entirely of local detail. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 207 

COAL. 

The coal measures, says Prof. E. T. Cox, cover an area of about 
6,500 square miles, in the southwestern part of the State, and 
extend from Warren county on the north to the Ohio river on the 
south, a distance of about 150 miles. This area comprises the fol- 
lowing counties: Warren, Fountain, Parke, Yermillion, Vigo, Clay, 
Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, 
Yanderburg, Warrick, Spencer, Perry and a small part of Crawford, 
Monroe, Putnam and Montgomery. 

This coal is all bituminous, but is divisible into three well-marked 
varieties: caking-coal, non-caking-coal or block coal and cannel 
coal. The total depth of the seams or measures is from 600 to 800 
feet, with 12 to 14 distinct seams of coal; but these are not all to 
be found throughout the area; the seams range from one foot to 
eleven feet in thickness. The caking coal prevails in the western 
portion of the area described, and has from three to four workable 
seams, ranging from three and a half to eleven feet in thickness. 
At most of the places where these are worked the coal is mined by 
adits driven in on the face of the ridges, and the deepest shafts in 
the State are less than 300 feet, the average depth for successful 
mining not being over 75 feet. This is a bright, black, sometimes 
glossy, coal, makes good coke and contains a very large percentage 
of pure illuminating gas. One pound will yield about 4J- cubic feet 
of gas, with a power equal to 15 standard sperm candles. The 
average calculated calorific power of the caking coals is 7,745 heat 
units, pure carbon bemg 8,080. Both in the northern and southern 
portions of the field, the caking coals present.similar good qualities, 
and are a great source of private and public wealth. 

The block coal prevails in the eastern part of the field and has an 
area of about 450 square miles. This is excellent, in its raw state, 
for making pig iron. It is indeed peculiarly fitted for metal- 
lurgical purposes. It has a laminated structure with carbonaceous 
matter, like charcoal, between the lamina, with slaty cleavage, and 
it rings under the stroke of the hammer. It is " free-burning," 
makes an open fire, and without caking, swelling, scafiblding in the 
furnace or changing form, burns like hickory wood until it is con- 
sumed to a white ash and leaves no clinkers. It is likewise valuable 
for generating steam and for household uses. Many of the prmcipal 
railway lines in the State are using it in preference to any other 
coal, as it does not burn out the fire-boxes, and gives as little trouble 
as wood. 



20S HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

There are eight distinct seams of block coal in this zone, three of 
which are workable, having an average thickness of four feet. In 
some places this coal is mined by adits, but generally from shafts, 
40 to 80 feet deep. The seams are crossed by cleavage lines, and 
the coal is usually mined without powder, and may be taken out in 
blocks weighing a ton or more. When entries or rooms are driven 
angling across the cleavage lines, the walls of the mine present a 
zigzag, notched appearance resembling a Virginia worm fence. 

In 1871 there were about 24 block coal mines in operation, and 
about 1,500 tons were mined daily. Since that time this industry 
haa vastly increased. This coal consists of 81| to 83^ percent, of 
carbon, and not quite three fourths of one per cent, of sulphur. 
Calculated calorific power equal to 8,283 heat units. This coal also 
is equally good both in the northern and southern parts of the field. 

The great Indiana coal field is within 150 miles of Chicago or 
Michigan City, by railroad, from which ports the Lake Superior 
specular and red hematite ores are landed from vessels that are able 
to run in a direct course from the ore banks. Considering the 
proximity of the vast quantities of iron in Michigan and Missouri^ 
one can readily see what a glorious future awaits Indiana in respect 
to manufactories. 

Of the cannel coal, one of the finest seams to be found in the 
country is in Daviess county, this State. Here it is three and a 
half feet thick, underlaid by one and a half feet of a beautiful, jet- 
black caking coal. There is no clay, shale or other foreign matter 
intervening, and fragments of the caking coal are often found 
adhering to the cannel. There is no gradual change from one to 
the other, and the character of each is homogeneous throughout. 

The cannel coal makes a delightful fire in open grates, and does 
not pop and throw ofi" scales into the room, as is usual with this 
kind of coal. This coal is well adapted to the manufacture of 
illuminating gas, in respect to both quantity and high illuminating 
power. One ton of 2,000 pounds of this coal yields 10,400 feet of 
gas, while the best Pennsylvania coal yields but 8,680 cubic feet. 
This gas has an illuminating power of 25 candles, while the best 
Pennsylvania coal gas has that of only 17 candles. 

Cannel coal is also found in great abundance in Perry, Greene, 
Parke and Fountain counties, where its commercial value has already 
been demonstrated. 

Numerous deposits of bog iron ore are found in the northern part 
of the State, and clay iron-stones and impure carbonates and brown 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 209 

oxides are found scattered in the vicinity of the coal field. In some 
places the beds are quite thick and of considerable commercial 
value. 

An abundance of excellent lime is also found in Indiana, espe- 
cially in Huntington county, where many large kilns are kept in 
profitable operation. 

AGRICULTURAL. 

In 1852 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the organization 
of county and district agricultural societies, and also establishing a 
State Board, the provisions of which act are substantially as follows: 

1. Thirty or more persons in any one or two counties organizing 
into a society for the improvement of agriculture, adopting a consti- 
tution and by-laws agreeable to the regulations prescribed by the 
State Board, and appointing the proper officers and raising a sum 
of $50 for its own treasury, shall be entitled to the same amount 
from the fund arising from show licenses in their respective 
counties. 

2. These societies shall offer annual premiums for improvement 
of soils, tillage, crops, manures, productions, stock, articles of 
domestic industry, and such other articles, productions and improve- 
ments as they may deem proper; they shall encourage, by grant 
of rewards, agricultural and household manufacturing interests, and 
so regulate the premiums tliat small farmers will have equal 
opportunity with the large; and they shall pay special attention to 
cost and profit of the inventions and improvements, requiring an 
exact, detailed statement of the processes competing for rewards. 

3. They shall publish in a newspaper annually their list of 
awards and an abstract of their treasurers' accounts, and they shall 
report in full to the State Board their proceedings. Failing to do 
the latter they shall receive no payment from their county funds. 

STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 

The act of Feb. 17, 1852, also established a State Board of Agri- 
culture, with perpetual succession; its annual meetings to be held 
at Indianapolis on the first Thursday after the first Monday in 
January, when the reports of the county societies are to be received 
and agricultural interests discussed and determined upon; it shall 
make an annual report to the Legislature of receipts, expenses, 
proceedings, etc., of its own meeting as well as of those of the local 



210 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

societies; it shall hold State fairs, at such times and places as they 
may deem proper; may hold two meetings a year, certifying to the 
State Auditor their expenses, who shall draw his warrant upon the 
Treasurer for the same 

In 1861 the State B^ard adopted certain rules, embracing ten 
sections, for the government of local societies, but in 1868 they 
were found inexpedient and abandoned. It adopted a resolution 
admitting delegates from the local societies. 

THE EXPOSITION. 

As the Board found great difiBculty in doing justice to exhibitors 
without an adequate building, the members went earnestly to work 
in the fall of 1872 to get up an interest i the matter. They 
appointed a committee of five to confer with the Councilor citizens 
of Indianapolis as to the best mode to be devised for a more 
thorough and complete exhibition of the industries of the State. 
The result of the conference was that the time had arrived for a 
regular " exposition," like that of the older States. At the Janu- 
ary meeting in 1873, Hon. Thomas Bowling, of Terre Haute, 
reported for the committee that they found a general interest in 
this enterprise, not only at the capital, but also throughout the 
State, A sub-committee was appointed who devised plans and 
specifications for the necessary structure, taking lessons mainly 
from the Kentucky Exposition building at Louisville. All the 
members of the State Board were in favor of proceeding with the 
building except Mr. Poole, who feared that, as the interest of the 
two enterprises were somewhat conflicting, and the Exposition being 
the more exciting show, it would swallow up the State and county 
fairs. 

The Exposition was opened Sept. 10, 1873, when Hon, John 
Sutherland, President of the Board, the Mayor of Indianapolis, 
Senator Morton and Gov. Hendricks delivered addresses. Senator 
Morton took the high ground that the money spent for an exposi- 
tion is spent as strictly for educational purposes as that which goes 
directly into the common school. The exposition is not a mere 
show, to be idly gazed upon, but an industrial school where one 
should study and learn. He thought that Indiana had less untill- 
able land than any other State in the Union; 'twas as rich as any 
and yielded a greater variety of products ; and that Indiana was 
the most prosperous agricultural community in the United States. 



illblORV OF INDIANA. 'j 1 I 

The Srtie liad nearly 3,700 miles of railroa*!, not coiiiitiiiu- ^-ivir 
tra<'!;, •.v:t;i 40() uiiies more under contract for building'. In 15 
or 1> u:ii!itiis one can go from Indianapolis to every county in 
till Stare by railroad. Indiana has 6,500 square miles of cool field. 
450 ot wiiicli contain block coal, the best in the United States for 
manulactiiring purposes. 

On the subject of cheap transportation, he said: " By the census 
of ISTc, Pennsylvania had, of domestic animals of all kinds, 4,006,- 
589, and Indiana, 4,511,094. Pennsylvania had grain to the amount 
of 60,460,000 bushels, while Indiana had 79,350,454. The value of 
the farm products of Pennsylvania was estimated to be $183,946,- 
000; those of Indiana, $122,914,000. Thus you see that while 
Indiana had 505,000 head of live stock more, and 19,000,000 
bushels of grain more than Pennsylvania, yet the products of Penn- 
sylvania are estimated at $183,946,000, on account of lier greater 
proximity to market, while those of Indiana are estimated at only 
$122,914,000. Thus you can understand the importance of cheap 
transportation to Indiana. 

" Let us see how the question of transportation affects us on the 
other hand, with reference to the manufacturer of Bessemer steel. 
Of the 174,000 tons of iron ore used in the blast furnaces of Pitts- 
burg last year, 84,000 tons came from Lake Superior, 64,000 tons 
from Iron Mountain, Missouri, 20,000 tons from Lake Champlain,. 
and less than 5,000 tons from the home mines of Pennsylvania. 
They cannot manufacture their iron with the coal they have in 
Pennsylvania without coking it. We have coal in Indiana with 
which we can, in its raw state, make the best of iron; while we are 
250 miles nearer Lake Superior than Pittsburg, and 430 miles 
nearer to Iron Mountain. So that the question of transportation 
determines the fact that Indiana must become the great center for 
the manufacture of Bessemer steel." 

"What we want in this country is diversified labor.'' 

The grand hall of the Exposition buildings is on elevated ground 
at the head of Alabama street, and commands a fine view of the 
city. The structure is of brick, 308 feet long by 150 in width, and 
two stories high. Its elevated galleries extend quite around the 
building, under the roof, thus afibrding visitors an opportunity to 
secure the most commanding view to be had in the city. The 
lower floor of the grand hall is occupied by the mechanical, geologi- 
cal and miscellaneous departments, and by the ofiices of the Board, 
which extend along the entire front. The second floor, which is 



212 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

approached by three wide stairways, accommodates the fine art, 
musical and other departments of light mechanics, and is brilliantly 
lighted by windows and skylights. But as we are here entering 
the description of a subject magnificent to behold, we enter a 
description too vast to complete, and we may as well stop here as 
anywhere. 

The Presidents of the State Fairs have been: Gov. J. A. Wright, 
1852-'4; Gen. Jos. Orr, 1855; Dr. A. C. Stevenson, 1856-'8; G. D. 
Wagner; 1859-GO; D. P. Holloway, 1861; Jas. D.Williams, 1862, 
1870-'l; A. D. Ilararick, 1863, 1867-'9; Stearns Fisher, 1864-'6; 
John Sutherland, 1872-'4; Wm. Grim, 1875. Secretaries; John B. 
Dillon, 1852-'3,1855, 1858-'9; Ignatius Brown, 1856-'7; W.T. Den- 
nis, 1854, 1860-'l; W. H. Loomis, 1862-'6; A. J. Holmes, 1867-'9; 
Joseph Poole, 1870-'l ; Alex. Heron, 1872-'5. Place of fair, Indian- 
apolis every year except: Lafayette, 1853; Madison, 1854; New 
Albany, 1859,- Fort Wayne, 1865; and Terre Haute, 1867. In 
1861 there was no fair. The gate and entry receipts increased from 
$4,651 in 1852 to $45,330 in 1874. 

On the opening of the Exposition, Oct. 7, 1874, addresses were 
delivered by the President of the Board, Hon. John Sutherland, 
and by Govs. Hendricks, Bigler and Pollock. Yvon's celebrated 
painting, the " Great Republic," was unveiled witli great ceremony, 
and many distinguished guests were present to witness it. 

The exhibition of 1875 showed that the plate glass from the 
southern part of the State was equal to the finest French plate; that 
the force- blowers made in the eastern part of the State was of a 
world-wide reputation; that the State has within its bounds the 
largest wagon manufactory in the world; that in other parts of the 
State there were all sorts and sizes of manufactories, including roll- 
ing mills and blast furnaces, and in the western part coal was mined 
and shipped at the rate of 2,500 tons a day from one vicinity; and 
many other facts, which " would astonish the citizens of Indiana 
themselves even more than the rest of the world." 

INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

This society was oriranized in 1842, thus taking the lead in the 
West. At this time Henry Ward Beecher was a resident of Indian- 
apolis, engaged not only as a minister but also as editor of the 
Indiana Farmer and OardeneVf and his influence was very exten- 
sive in the interests of horticulture, floriculture and farming. 
Prominent among his pioneer co-laborers were Judge Coburn, 



213 

HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



Bagan Stephen _^a. P . ^_^^^^ ^^ ^j^;^ y^„ the 

foS'uX afeS::. p.oba„., .Ke first in t^e «- ;f ^ 
irthe West in the hall of tlie new State house. The only pre 
^ium ol dwasa setofsilver teaspoons for the best seedUng 
:;;: llch was won by Reuben Eagan of Putnam county, tor 
an apple christened on this occasion the "Osceola. 

The society gave great encouragement *« '"e :ntroductu,n of 
new varieties'of fruit, especially of the pear, as th^ bo. and cU- 
mate of Indiana were well adapted to this frmt. Bu the bright 
Wzon which seemed to be at this time looming up all around the 
fieW o ■ the young society's operations wassuddenly and thoroughly 
darkened by the!warm of noxious insects, diseases, blasts of win- 
ter and the great distance to market. The prospects of he <^use 

Zr^lt^lti'T^^^'^^ organi.:tion itself became ,uite 

'^Butwhen, in 1852 and afterward, railroads began to traverse the 
Stat fall directions, the Legislature provided for *•>« organizaUo n 
of a State Board of Agriculture, whose scope was not only agn- 
cul ur bufalso horticulture and the mechanic and househoMarts^ 
The rapid growth of the State soon necessitated a differentiation of 
li! body and in the autumn of 1860, at Indianapolis, there was 
organized the 

INDIANA POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

October 18, Reuben Ragan was elected President and Wm H 
LoomTs of M rion county, Secretary. The constitution adopted 
p^ovTded for biennial meetings in January, at Indianapol s. At 
provmea lor committee-man tor each 



son 

college. 

crowned with success 



214 HISTORY OF INDIANA, 

In 1864 there was but little done on account of the exhaust- 
ive demands of the great war; and the descent of mercury 60'^ in 
eighteen hours did so much mischief as to increase the discourage- 
ment to the verge of deepair. The title of the society was at this 
meeting, Jan., 1864 changed to that of the Indiana Horticultural 
Society. 

The first several meetings of the society were mostly devoted to 
revision of fruit lists; and although the good work, from its vast- 
ness and complication, became somewlu-t monotonous, it has been 
'no exception in this respect to the law that all the greatest and 
most productive labors of mankind require perseverance and toil. 

In 1866, George M. Beeler, who had so indefatigably served as 
secretary for several years, saw himself hastening to his grave, and 
showed his love for the cause of fruit culture by bequeathing to 
the society the sum of $1,000. This year also the State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction was induced to take a copy of the 
Society's transactions for each of the township libraries in the State, 
and this enabled the Society to bind its volume of proceedings in 
a substantial manner. 

At the meeting in 1867 many valuable and interesting papers 
were presented, the office of corresponding secretary was created, 
and the subject of Legislative aid was discussed. The State Board 
of Agriculture placed the management of the horticultural depart- 
ment of the State fair in the care of the Society. 

The report for 1868 shows for the first time a balance on hand, 
after paying expenses, the balance being $61.55. Up to this time 
the Society had to take care of itself, — meeting current expenses, do- 
ing its own printing and binding, " boarding and clothing itself," 
and diflusing annually an amount of knowledge utterly incalcu- 
lable. During the year called meetings were held at Salem, in the 
peach and grape season, and evenings during the State fair, which 
was held inTerre Haute the previous fall. The State now assumed 
the cost of printing and binding, but the volume of transactions 
was not quite so valuable as that of the former year. 

In 1870 $160 was given to this Society by the State Board of 
Agriculture, to be distributed as prizes for essays, which object 
was faithfully carried out. The practice has since then been con- 
tinued. 

In 1871 the Horticultural Society brought out the best voiumo 
of papers and proceedings it ever has had published. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA, 215 

In 1872 the office of corresponding secretary was discontinued; 
the appropriation by the State Board of Agriculture diverted to 
the payment of premiums on small fruits given at a show held the 
previous summer; results of the exhibition not entirely satisfac- 
tory. 

In 1873 the State officials refused to publish the discussions of 
the members of the Horticultural Society, and the Legislature 
appropriated $500 for the purpose for each of the ensuing two 
years. 

In 1875 the Legislature enacted a law requiring that one of the 
trustees of Purdue University shall be selected by the Horticultu- 
ral Society. 

The aggregate annual membership of this society from its organ- 
ization in 1860 to 1875 was 1,225. 

EDUCATION. 

The subject of education has been referred to in almost every 
gubernatorial message from the organization of the Territory to 
the present time. It is indeed the most favorite enterprise of the 
Hoosier State. In the first survey of Western lands, Congress set 
apart a section of land in every township, generally the 16th, for 
school purposes, the disposition of the land to be in hands of the 
residents of the respective townships. Besides this, to this State 
were given two entire townships for the use of a State Seminary, 
to be under the control of the Legislature. Also, the State con- 
stitution provides that all fines for the breach of law and all com- 
mutations for militia service be appropriated to the use of county 
seminaries. In 1825 the common-school lands amounted to 
680,207 acres, estimated at $2 an acre, and valued therefore at 
$1,216,044. At this time the seminary at Bloomington, supported 
in part by one of these township grants, was very flourishing. The 
common schools, however, were in rather a poor condition. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

In 1852 the free-school system was fully established, which has 
resulted in placing Indiana in the lead of this great nation. Al- 
though this is a pleasant subject, it is a very large one to treat in 
a condensed notice, as this has to be. 

The free-school system of Indiana first became practically oper- 
ative the first Monday of April, 1853, when the township trustees 



216 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

for school purposes were elected through the State. The law com- 
mitted to them the charge of all the educational affairs in their 
respective townships. As it was feared by the opponents of the 
law that it would not be possible to select men in all the town- 
ships capable of execating the school laws satisfactorily, the 
people were thereby awakened to the necessity of electing their 
very best men ; and although, of course, many blunders have been 
made by trustees, the operation of the law has tended to elevate the 
adult population as well as the youth; and Indiana still adheres to 
the policy of appointing its best men to educational positions. 
The result is a grand surprise to all old fogies, who indeed scarcely 
dare to appear such any longer. 

To instruct the people in the new law and set the educational 
machinery going, a pamphlet of over 60 pages, embracing the law, 
with notes and explanations, was issued from the office of a super- 
intendent of public instruction, and distributed freely throughout 
the State. The first duty of the Board of Trustees was to establish 
and conveniently locate a sufficient number of schools for the edu- 
cation of all the children of their township. But where were the 
school-houses, and what were they? Previously they had been 
erected by single districts, but under this law districts were abol- 
ished, their lines obliterated, and houses previously built by dis- 
tricts became the property of the township, and all the houses were 
to be built at the expense of the township by an appropriation of 
township funds by the trustees. In some townships there was not 
a single school-house of any kind, and in others there were a few 
old, leaky, dilapidated log cabins, wholly unfit for use even in sum- 
mer, and in " winter worse than nothing." Before the people could 
be tolerably accommodated with schools at least 3,500 school-houses 
had to be erected in the State. 

By a general law, enacted in conformity to the constitution of 
1852, each township was made a municipal corporation, and every 
voter in the township a member of the corporation ; the Board of 
Trustees constituted the township legislature as well as the execu- 
tive body, the whole body of voters, however, exercising direct con- 
trol through frequent meetings called by the trustees. Special 
taxes and every other matter of importance were directly voted 
upon. 

Some tax-payers, who were opposed to special townships' taxes, 
retarded the progress of schools by refusing to pay their assess- 
ment. Contracts for building school-houses were given up, houses 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 217 

half finished were abandoned, and in many townships all school 
operations were suspended. In some of them, indeed, a rumor was 
circulated by the enemies of the law that the entire school law from 
beginning to end had been declared by the Supreme Court uncon- 
stitutional and void; and the Trustees, believing this, actually dis- 
missed their schools and considered themselves out of office. Hon. 
"W. C. Larrabee, the (first) Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
corrected this error as soon as possible. 

But while the voting of special taxes was doubted on a constitu- 
tional point, it became evident that it was weak in a practical point; 
for in many townships the opponents of the system voted down every 
proposition for the erection of school-houses. 

Another serious obstacle was the great deficiency in the number 
of qualified teachers. To meet the newly created want, the law 
authorized the appointment of deputies in each county to examine 
and license persons to teach, leaving it in their judgment to lower 
the standard of qualification sufficiently to enable them to license 
as many as were needed to supply all the schools. It was therefore 
found necessary to employ many "unqualified " teachers, especially 
in the remote rural districts. But the progress of the times 
enabled the Legislature of 1853 to erect a standard of qualifica- 
tion and give to the county commissioners the authority to license 
teachers; and in order to supply every school with a teacher, while 
there might not be a sufficient number of properly qualified teach- 
ers, the commissioners were authorized to grant temporary licenses 
to take charge of particular schools not needing a high grade of 
teachers. 

In 1854 the available common-school fund consisted of the con- 
gressional township fund, the surplus revenue fund, the saline 
fund, the bank tax fund and miscellaneous fund, amounting in all 
to $2,460,000. This amount, from many sources, was subsequently 
increased to a very great extent. The common-school fund was 
intrusted to the several counties of the State, which were held 
responsible for the preservation thereof and for the payment of the 
annual interest thereon. The fund was managed by the auditors 
and treasurers of the several counties, for which these officers were 
allowed one-tenth of the income. It was loaned out to the citizens 
of the county in sums not exceeding $300, on real estate security. 
The common-school fund was thus consolidated and the proceeds 
equally distributed each year to all the townships, cities and towns 



218 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

of the State, in proportion to the number of children. This phase 
of the law met with considerable opposition in 1854. 

The provisions of the law for the establishment of township 
libraries was promptly carried into effect, and much time, labor 
and thought were devoted to the selection of books, special atten- 
tion being paid to historical works. 

The greatest need in 1854 was for qualified teachers; but never- 
theless the progress of public education during this and following 
jears was very great. School-houses were erected, many of them 
being fine structures, well furnished, and the libraries were consid- 
erably enlarged. 

The city school system of Indiana received a heavy set-back in 
185S, by a decision of the Supreme Court of the State, that the 
law authorizing cities and townships to levy a tax additional to the 
State tax was not in conformity with that clause in the Constitu- 
tion which required uniformity in taxation. The schools were 
stopped for want of adequate funds. For a few weeks in each year 
thereafter the feeble " uniform " supply from the State fund en- 
abled the people to open the schools, but considering the returns 
the public realizes for so small an outlay in educational matters, 
this proved more expensive than ever. Private schools increased, 
but the attendance was small. Thus the interests of popular edu- 
cation languished for years. But since the revival of the free 
schools, the State fund has grown to vast proportions, and the 
schools of this intelligent and enterprising commonwealth compare 
favorably with those of any other portion of the United States. 

There is no occasion to present all the statistics of school prog- 
ress in this State from the first to the present time, but some 
interest will be taken in the latest statistics, which we take from the 
9th Biennial Report (for ] 877- '8) by the State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, Hon. James H. Smart. This report, by the 
way, is a volume of 480 octavo pages, and is free to all who desire 
a copy. 

The rapid, substantial and permanent increase which Indiana 
enjoys in her school interests is thus set forth in the above report. 





Length 








Total 




of School 


No of 


Attendance 


School 


Am't Paid 


Tear. 


In Days. 


Teachers. 


at School. 


Enumeration. 


Teachers. 


1855 


61 


4,016 


206,994 


445,791 


$ 239.924 


1860 


65 


7,649 


303,744 


495,019 


481,020 


1865 


66 


9,493 


402,812 


557,092 


1,020.440 


1870 


97 


11,826 


462,527 


619.627 


1,810,866 


1875 


130 


13,133 


502,362 


667,736 


2,830,747 


1878 


129 


13,676 


512,535 


699,153 


3,065,968 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 219 

The increase of school population during the past ten years has 
been as follows: 

Total in 1868, 592,865. 

Increase for year ending Increase for year ending 

Sept. 1,1869 17,699 May 1, 1874 13,922 

» 1 1870 9,063 " 1,1875 13,372 

" i;i871 3,101 " 1,1876 11,494 

« 11872 8,811 " 1,1877 15,476 

May li 1873 (8 months) 8,903 "1,1878 4,447 

Total, 1878 .699,153 

No. of white males 354,271 ; females 333,033 687,304 

" "colored" 5,937; " 5,912 11.849 

699,153 

Twenty-nine per cent, of the above are in the 49 cities and 212 
incorporated towns, and 71 per cent, in the 1,011 townships. 

The number of white males enrolled in the schools in 1878 was 
267,315, and of white females, 237,739; total, 505,054; of colored 
males, 3,794; females, 3,687; total, 7,481; grand total, 512,535. 

The average number enrolled in each district varies from 51 to 56, 
and the average daily attendance from 32 to 35; but many children 
reported as absent attend parochial or private schools. Seventy- 
three per cent, of the white children and 63 per cent, of the colored, 
in the State, are enrolled in the schools. 

The number of days taught vary materially in the different town- 
ships, and on this point State Superintendent Smart iterates: " As 
long as the schools of some of our townships are kept open but 60 
days and others 220 days, we do not have a uniform system,— such 
as was contemplated by the constitution. The school law requires 
the trustee of a township to maintain each of the schools in his 
corporation an equal length of time. This provision cannot be so 
easily applied to the various counties of the State, for the reason 
that there is a variation in the density of the population, in the 
wealth of the people, and the amount of the township funds. I 
think, however, there is scarcely a township trustee in the State 
who cannot, under the present law, if he chooses to do so, bring his 
schools up to an average of six months. I think it would be wise 
to require each township trustee to levy a sufficient local tax to 
maintain the schools at least six months of the year, provided this 
can be done without increasing the local tax beyond the amount 
now permitted by law. This would tend to bring the poorer schools 
up to the standard of the best, and would thus unify the system, 
and make it indeed a common-school system." 



220 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

The State, however, averages six and a half months school per 
year to each district. 

The number of school districts in the State in 1878 was 9,3S0, in 
all but 34 of which school was taught during that year. There are 
396 district and 151 township graded schools. Number of white 
male teachers, 7,977, and of female, 5,699; colored, male, 62, and 
female, 43; grand total, 13,781, For the ten years ending with 
1878 there was an increase of 409 male teachers and 811 female 
teachers. All these teachers, except about 200, attend normal 
irstitutes, — a showing which probably surpasses that of any other 
State in this respect. 

The average daily compensation of teachers throughout the 
State in 1878 was as follows: In townships, males, $1.90; females, 
$1.70; in towns, males, $3.09; females, $1.81; in cities, males, 
$4.06; females, $2.29. 

In 1878 there were 89 stone school-houses, 1,724 brick, 7,608 
frame, and 124 log; total, 9,545, valued at $11,536,647.39. 

And lastly, and best of all, we are happy to state that Indiana has 
a larger school fund than any other State in the Union. In 1872, 
according to the statistics before us, it was larger than that of any 
other State by $2,000,000! the figures being as follows: 

Indiana $8,437,593.47 Michigan $2,500,2 1 4.91 

Ohio 6,614,816.50 Missouri 2,525,252.52 

Illinois 6,348,538.32 Minnesota 2,471,199.31 

New York 2,880,017.01 Wisconsin 2,237,414.87 

Connecticut 2,809,770.70 Massachusetts 2,210,864.09 

Iowa 4,274,581.93 Arkansas 2,000,000.00 

Nearly all the rest of the States have less than a million dollars 
in their school fund. 

In 1872 the coramon-school fund of Indiana consisted of the 
following: 

Non-negotiable bonds $3,591,316.15 Escheated estates 17,866.55 

Common-school fund, 1,666,824.50 Sinking fund, last distrib- 

Sinking fund, at 8 per cent 569,139.94 ution 67,068.72 

Congressional township Sinking fund undistrib- 

fund 2,281,076.69 uted 100,165.92 

Value of unsold Congres- Swamp land fund 42,418.40 

sional township lands. . 94,245.00 

Saline fund 5,727.66 $8,437,593 47 

Bank tax fund 1,744.94 

In 1878 the grand total was $8,974,455.55. 

The origin of the respective school funds of Indiana is as follows: 

1. The "Congressional township" fund is derived from the 

proceeds of the 16th sections of the townships. Almost all of these 



HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 221 

have been sold and the money put out at interest. The amount of 
this fund in 187Y was $2,452,936.82. 

2. The " saline " fund consists of the proceeds of the sale of 
salt springs, and the land adjoining necessary for working them to 
the amount of 36 entire sections, authorized by the original act of 
Congress. By authority of the same act the Legislature has made 
these proceeds a part of the permanent school fund. 

3. The " surplus revenue " fund. Under the administration of 
President Jackson, the national debt, contracted by the Revolutionary 
war and the purchase of Louisiana, was entirely discharged, and a 
large surplus remained in the treasury. In June, 1836, Congress 
distributed this money amcng the States in the ratio of their repre- 
sentation in Congress, subject to recall, and Indiana's share was 
$860,254. The Legislature subsequently set apart $573,502.96 of 
this amount to be a part of the school fund. It is not probable that 
the general Government will ever recall this money. 

4. " Bank tax " fund. The Legislature of 1834 chartered a State 
Bank, of which a part of the stock was owned by the State and a 
part by individuals. Section 15 of the charter required an annual 
deduction from the dividends, equal to 12^ cents on each share not 
held by the State, to be set apart for common-school education. 
This tax finally amounted to $80,000, which now bears interest in 
favor of education. 

5. " Sinking " fun^l. In order to set the State bank under 
good headway, the State at first borrowed $1,300,000, and out of 
the unapplied balances a fund was created, increased by unapplied 
balances also of the principal, interest and dividends of the amount 
lent to the individual holders of stock, for the purpose of sinking 
the debt of the bank; hence the name sinking fund. The 114th 
section of the charter provided that after the full payment of the 
bank's indebtedness, principal, interest and incidental expenses, the 
residue of said fund should be a permanent fund, appropriated to 
the cause of education. As the charter extended through a period 
of 25 years, this fund ultimately reached the handsome amount of 
$5,000,000. 

The foregoing are all interest- bearing funds; the following are 
additional school funds, but not productive: 

6. " Seminary " fund. By order of the Legislature in 1852, all 
county seminaries were sold, and the net proceeds placed in the 
common-school fund. 



222 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

7. All lines for the violation of the penai !:i\v^ cf Un; State are 
placed to the credit of the comnion-sclioul fund 

8. All recognizances of witnesses and parties indicted for crime, 
when forfeited, are collectible by law and made a part of the 
school fund. These are reported to the office of the State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction annually. For the five years ending 
with 1872, they averaged about $34,000 a year. 

9. Escheats. These amount to $17,865.55, which was still in 
the State treasury in 1872 and unapplied. 

10. The "swamp-land" fund arises from the sale of certain 
Congressional land grants, not devoted to any particular purpose 
by the terras of the grant. In 1872 there was $42,418.40 of this 
money, subject to call by the school interests. 

11. Taxes on corporations are to some extent devoted by the 
Constitution to school purposes, but the clause on this subject is 
somewhat obscure, and no funds as yet have been realized from this 
source. It is supposed that several large sums of money are due 
the common-school fund from the corporations. 

Constitutionally, any of the above funds may be increased, but 
never diminished. 

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY. 

So early as 1802 the U. S. Congress granted lands and a charter 
to the people of that portion of the Northwestern Territory resid- 
ing at Vincennes, for the erection and maintenance of a seminary 
of learning in that early settled district; and five years afterward 
an act incorporating the Vincennes University asked the Legisla- 
ture to appoint a Board of Trustees for the institution and order the 
sale of a single township in Gibson county, granted by Congress in 
1802, so that the proceeds might be at once devoted to the objects 
of education. On this Board the following gentlemen were ap- 
pointed to act in the interests of the institution: William H. Har- 
rison, John Gibson, Thomas H. Davis, Henry Vanderburgh, Wal- 
ler Taylor, Benjamin Parke, Peter Jones, James Johnson, John 
Rice Jones, George Wallace, William Bullitt, Ehas McNamee, 
John Badolett, Henry Hurst, Gen. W. Johnston, Francis Vigo, 
Jacob Kuykendall, Samuel McKee, Nathaniel Ewing, George 
Leech, Luke Decker, Samuel Gwathmey and John Johnson. 

The sale of this land was slow and the proceeds small. The 
members of the Board, too, were apathetic, and failing to meet, the 
institution fell out of existence and out of memory. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 223 

In 1816 Congress granted another township in Monroe county, 
located within its present limits, and the foundation of a university 
was laid. Four years later, and after Indiana was erected into a 
State, an act of the local Legislature appointing another Board of 
Trustees and authorizing them to select a location for a university 
and to enter into contracts for its construction, was passed. The 
new Board met at Bloomington and selected a site at that place for 
the location of the present building, entered into a contract for the 
erection of the same in 1822, and in 1825 had the satisfaction of being 
present at the inauguration of the university. The first session was 
commenced under the Rev. Baynard R Hall, with 20 students, and 
when the learned professor could only boast of a salary of $150 a 
year; yet, on this very limited sum the gentleman worked with 
energy and soon brought the enterprise through all its elementary 
stages to the position of an academic institution. Dividing the 
year into two sessions of five months each, the Board aoting under 
his advice, changed the name to the " Indiana Academy," nnder 
which title it was duly chartered. In 1827 Prof. John H. Harney 
was raised to the chairs of mathematics, natural philosophy and 
astronomy, at a salary of $300 a year; and the salary of Mr. Hall 
raised to $400 a year. In 1828 the name was again changed by the 
Legislature to the " Indiana College," and the following professors 
appointed over the diflTereut departments; Rev. Andrew Wylie, 
D. D,, Prof, of mental and moral philosophy and belles lettree; 
John H. Harney, Prof, of mathematics and natural philosophy ; and 
Rev. Bayard R. Hall, Prof, of ancient languages. This year, also, 
dispositions were made for the sale of Gibson county lands and for 
the erection of a new college building. This action was opjx)Bed 
by some legal difficulties, which after a time were overcome, and 
the new college building was put under construction, and continued 
to prosper until 1854, when it was destroyed by fire, and 9,000 
volumes, with all the apparatus, were consumed The curriculum 
was then carried out in a temporary building, while a new stract- 
ure was going up. 

In 1873 the new college, with its additions, was completed, and 
the routine of studies continued. A museum of natural history, 
a laboratory and the Owen cabinet added, and the standard of the 
studies and morale generally increased in excellence and in strict- 



Bloomington is a fine, healthful locality, on the Louisville, New 
Albany & Chicago railway. The University buildings are in the 



224: HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

collegiate Gothic style, simply and truly carried out. The building, 
fronting College avenue is 145 feet in front. It consists of a 
central building 60 feet by 53, with wings each 38 feet by 26, and 
the whole, three stories high. The new building, fronting the 
west, is 130 feet by 50. Buildings lighted by gas. 

The faculty numbers thirteen. Number of students in the col- 
legiate department in 1879-'80, ]83; in preparatory, 169; total, 
349, allowing for three counted twice. 

The university may now be considered on a fixed founaation, car- 
rying out the intention of the President, who aimed at scholarship 
rather than numbers, and demands the attention of eleven pro- 
fessors, together with the State Geologist, who is ex-officio member 
of the faculty, and required to lecture at intervals and look after 
the geological and raineralogical interests of the institution. The 
faculty of medicine is represented by eleven leading physicians 
of the neighborhood. The faculty of law requires two resident 
professors, and the other chairs remarkably well represented. 

The university received from the State annually about $15,000, 
and promises with the aid of other public grants and private dona- 
tions to vie with any other State university within the Republic. 

PURDUE UNIVERSITY. 

This is a '* college for the benefit of agricultural and the mechanic 
arts," as provided for by act of Congress, July 2, 1862, donating 
lands for this purpose to the extent of 30,000 acres of the public 
domain to each Senator and Representative in the Federal assem- 
bly. Indiana having in Congress at that time thirteen members, 
became entitled to 390,000 acres; but as there was no Congress 
land in the State at this time, scrip had to be taken, and it was 
upon the following condition (we quote the act): 

" Section 4. That all moneys derived from the sale of land 
scrip shall be invested in the stocks of the United States, or of 
some other safe stocks, yielding no less than five per centum upon 
' the par value of said stocks; and that the moneys so invested shall 
constitute a perpetual fund, the capital of which shall remain undi- 
minished, except so far as may be provided in section 5 of this act, 
and the interest of which shall be inviolably appropriated by each 
State, which may take and claim the benefit of this act, to the 
endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college, where 
the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 225 

classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach sncli 
branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic 
arts, in such a manner as the Legislatures of the States may re- 
spectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical 
education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and pro- 
fessions of life. 

" Sec. 5. That the grant of land and land scrip hereby author- 
ized shall be made on the following conditions, to which, as well as 
the provision hereinbefore contained, the previous assent of the 
eeveral States shall be signified by Legislative act: 

'' First. If any portion of the funds invested as provided by the 
foregoing section, or any portion of the interest thereon, shall by 
any action or contingency be diminished or lost, it shall be replaced 
by the State to which it belongs, so that the capital of the fund 
shall remain forever undiminished, and the annual interest shall be 
regularly applied, without diminution, to the purposes mentioned 
in the fourth section of this act, except that a sum not exceeding ten 
per centum upon the amount received by any State under the pro- 
visions of this act may be expended for the purchase of lands for 
sites or experimental farms, whenever authorized by the respective 
Legislatures of said States. 

" Second. No portion of said fund, nor interest thereon, shall 
be applied, directly or indirectly, under any pretence whatever, to 
the purchase, erection, preservation or repair of any building or 
buildings. 

" Third. Any State which may take and claim the benefit of 
the provisions of this act, shall provide, within five years at least, 
not less than one college, as provided in the fourth section of this 
act, or the grant to such State shall cease and said State be bound 
to pay the United States the amount received of any lands pre- 
viously soldx, and that the title to purchase under the States shall 
be valid. 

" Fourth. An annual report shall be made regarding the prog- 
ress of each college, recording any improvements and experiments 
made, with their cost and result, and such other matter, including 
State industrial and economical statistics, as may bo supposed use- 
ful, one copy of which shall be transmitted by mail free, by each, 
to all other colleges which may be endowed under the provisions 
of this act, and also one copy to the Secretary of the Interior. 

"Fifth. When lands shall be selected from those which have 
been raised to double the minimum price in consequence of railroad 



226 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

grants, that they shall be computed to the States at the maximum 
price, and the number of acres proportionately diminished. 

"Sixth. No State, while in a condition of rebellion or insur- 
rection against the Government of the United States, shall be 
eti titled to the benefits of this act. 

"Seventh. No State shall be entitled to the benefits of this act 
unless it shall express its acceptance thereof by its Legislature 
within two years from the date of its approval by the President." 

The foregoing act was approved by the President, July 2, 1862. 
It seemed that this law, amid the din of arms with the great Rebel- 
lion, was about to pass altogether unnoticed by the next General 
Assembly, January, 1863, had not Gov. Morton's attention been 
called to it by a delegation of citizens from Tippecanoe county, who 
visited him in the interest oi Battle Ground. He thereupon sent 
a special message to the Legislature, upon the subject, and then 
public attention was excited to it everywhere, and several localities 
competed for the institution ; indeed, the rivalry was so great that 
this session failed to act in the matter at all, and would have failed 
to accept of the grant within the two years prescribed in the last 
clause quoted above, had not Congress, by a supplementary act, 
extended the time two years longer. 

March 6, 1865, the Legislature accepted the conditions ot the 
national gift, and organized the Board of " Trustees of the Indiana 
Agricultural College." This Board, by authority, sold the scrip 
April 9, 1867, for $212,238.50, which sum, by compounding, has 
increased to nearly $400,000, and is invested in U. S. bonds. Not 
until the special session of May, 1869, was the locality for this col- 
lege selected, when John Purdue, of Lafayette, ofiered $150,000 
and Tippecanoe county $50,000 more, and the title of the institution 
changed to " Purdue University." Donations were also made by 
the Battle Ground Institute and the Battle Ground Institute of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The building was located on a 100-acre tract near Chauncey, 
which Purdue gave in addition to his magnificent donation, and to 
which 86^ acres more have since been added on the north. The 
boarding-house, dormitory, the laboratory, boiler and gas house, 
a frame armory and gymnasium, stable with shed and work-shop 
are all to the north of the gravel road, and form a group of build- 
ings within a circle of 600 feet. The boiler and gas house occupy 
a rather central position, and supply steam and gas to the boarding- 
house, dormitory and laboratory. A description of these buildings 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



227 



may be apropos. The boarding-house is a brick structure, in the 
modern Italian style, planked by a turret at each of the front angles 
and measuring liiO feet front by 68 feet deep. The dormitory is a 
quadrangularVlitice, in the plain Eliz:U.ethan style, four stories 
high, arranged U) accommodate 125 students. Like the other build- 
ings, it is heated by steam and lighted by gas. Bathing accommo- 
dations are in eacli end of all the stories. The laboratory is almost 
a duplicate of a similar department in Brown University, R. I. It 
is a much smaller building than the boarding-house, but yet suffi- 
ciently large to meet the requirements. A collection of minerals, 
fossils and antiquities, purchased from Mr. Richard Owen, former 
President of the institution, occupies the tcm]>orary cabinet or 
museum, pending the construction of a new building. The military 
hall and gymnasium is 100 feet frontage by 50 feet deep, and only 
one story high. Tiie uses to which this hall is devoted are exer- 
cises in physical and military drill. The boiler and gas house is an 
establishment replete in itself, possessing every facility for supply- 
ino- the buildings of the university with adequate heat and light. 
Itls further provided with pumping works. Convenient to this 
department is the retort and great meters of the gas house, capable 
of holding 9,000 cubic feet of gas, and arranged upon the principles 
of modern science. The barn and shed form a single building, 
both useful, convenient and ornamental. 

In connection with the agricultural department of the university, 
a brick residence and barn were erected and placed at the disposa' 
of the farm superintendent, Maj. L. A. Burke. 

The buildings enumerated above have been erected at a cost 
approximating the following: boarding-house, $37,807.07; labora- 
tory, sBlo.OOO; dormitory, $32,000; military hall and gymnasium, 
$6,410.47; boiler and gas house, $1,814; barn and shed, $1,500; 
work-sho^^ $],('( Hi; dwelling and barn, $2,500. 

Besides the original donations. Legislative appropriations, vary- 
ing in amount, have been made from time to time, and Mr. Pierce, 
the treasurer, has donated his official salary, $600 a year, for the time 
he served, fur decorating the grounds,— if necessary. 

The opening of the university was, owing to varied circumstan- 
ces, postponed from time to time, and not until March, 1874, was a 
class formed, and this only to comply with the act of Congress in 
that connection in its relation to the university. However, in 
September following a curriculum was adopted, and the first regu- 
lar term of the Purdue University entered upon. This curriculuir. 



2^ HISTOBT OF INDIAUA. 

comprises the varied subjects generally pertaining to a first-class 
university course, namely: in the school of natural science — 
physics and industrial mechanics, chemistry and natural history; 
in the school of engineeripg — civil and mining, together with the 
principles of architecture; in the school of agriculture — theoret- 
ical and practical agriculture, horticulture and veterinary science; 
in the military school — the mathematical sciences, German and 
French literature, fre^-hand and mechanical drawing, with all the 
studies pertaining to the natural and military sciences. Modern 
languages and natural history embrace their respective courses to 
the fullest extent. 

There are this year (1880) eleven members of the faculty, 86 
8t!7deut8 in the regular courses, and 117 other stn'h-^its. In respect 
to attendance there has been a constant increase from the first. 
The first year, 1874-'5, there were but 64 students. 

INDIAKA STATE NOBMAL SCHOOL. 

This institution was founded at Terra Haute in 1870, in accord- 
ance with the act of the Legislature of that year. The building is 
a large brick edifice situated upon a commanding location and 
possessing some architectural beauties. From its inauguration 
many obstacles opposed its advance toward efficiency and success; 
but the Board of Trustees, composed of men experienced in edu- 
cational matters, exercised their strength of mind and body to 
overcome every difficulty, and secure for the State Normal School 
every distinction and emolument that lay within their power, 
their efforts to this end being very successful; and it is a fact that 
the institution has arrived at, if not eclipsed, the standard of their 
expectations. Not alone does the course of study embrace the 
legal subjects known as reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, 
geography. United States history, English grammar, physiology, 
manners and ethics, but it includes also universal history, the 
mathematical sciences and many other subjects foreign to older 
institutions. The first studies are prescribed by law and must be 
inculcated; the second are optional with the professors, and in the 
case of Indiana generally hold place in the curriculum of the nor- 
mal school. 

The model, or training school, specially designed for the training 
of teachers, forms a most important factor in State educational 
matters, and prepares teachers of both sexes for one of the most 
important positions in life; viz., that of educating the youth of the 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 235 

the Corintliian style, while each wing is similarly overcapped 
The porticoes, cornices and verandahs are gotten up with exquisite 
taste, and the former are molded after the principle of Ionic archi- 
tecture. The building is very favorably situated, and occupies a 
space of eight acres. 

The nucleus of a fund for supplying indigent graduates of the 
institution with an outfit suitable to their trades, or with money in 
lieu thereof, promises to meet with many additions. The fund is 
the out-come of the benevolence of Mrs. Fitzpatrick, a resident of 
Delaware, in this State, and appears to be suggested by the fact 
that her daughter, wlio was smitten with blindness, studied as a 
pupil in the institute, and became singularly attached to many of 
its inmates. The following passage from the lady's will bears 
testimony not only to her own sympathetic nature but also to the 
efficiency of the establishment which so won her esteem. " I give 
to each of the following persons, friends and associates of my blind 
daughter, Margaret Louisa, the sum of $100 to each, to wit, viz: 
Melissa and Phoebe Garrettson, Frances Cundiff, Dallas Newland, 
Naomi Unthunk, and a girl whose name before marriage was 
Rachel Martin, her husband's name not recollected. The balance 
of my estate, after paying the expenses of administering, I give to 
the superintendent of the blind asylum and his successor, in trust, 
for the use and benefit of the indigent blind of Indiana who may 
attend the Indiana blind asylum, to be given to them on leaving 
in such sums as the superintendent may deem proper, but not more 
than $50 to any one person. I direct that the amount above direct- 
ed be loaned at interest, and the interest and principal be distributed 
as above, agreeably to the best judgment of the superintendent, 
so as to do the greatest good to the greatest number of blind 
persons." 

The following rules, regulating the institution, after laying down 
in preamble that the institute is strictly an educational estab- 
lishment, having its main object the moral, intellectual and phys- 
ical training of the young blind of the State, and is not an asylum 
for the aged and helpless, nor an hospital wherein the diseases of 
the eye may be treated, proceed as follows : 

1. The school year commences the first "Wednesday after the 
15th day of September, and closes on the last Wednesday in June, 
showing a session of 40 weeks, and a vacation term of 84 days. 

2, Applicants for admission must be from 9 to 21 years of age; 
but the trustees have power to admit blind students under 9 or 



236 HISTORY OF IiroiAHA. 

over 21 years of age; but this power is extended only in very 
extreme cases. 

3. Imbecile or unsound persons, or confirmed imraoralists, 
cannot be admitted knowingly; neither can admitted pupils who 
prove disobedient or incompetent to receive instruction be retained 
on the roll. 

4. No charge is made for the instruction and board given to 
pupils from the State of Indiana; and even those without the State 
have only to pay $200 for board and education during the 40 weeks* 
session. 

6. An abundant and good supply of comfortable clothing for 
both summer and winter wear, is an indispensable adjunct of the 
pupil. 

6. The owner's name must be distinctly marked on each article 
of clothing. 

7. In cases of extreme indigence the institution may provide 
clothing and defray the traveling expenses of such pupil and levy the 
amount so expended on the county wherein his or her home is 
situated. 

8. The pupil, or friends of the pupil, must remove him or her 
from the institute during the annual vacation, and in case of their 
feilure to do so, a legal provision enables the superintendent to 
forward such pupil to the trustee of the township where he or she 
resides, and the expense of such transit and board to be charged to 
the county. 

9. Friends of the pupils accompanying them to the institution, 
or visiting them thereat, cannot enter as boarders or lodgers. 

10. Letters to the pupils should be addressed to the care of the 
Superintendent of the Institute for the Education of the Blind, so as 
the better to insure delivery. 

11. Persons desirous of admission of pupils should apply to the 
superintendent for a printed copy of instructions, and no pupil 
should be sent thereto until the instructions have been complied 
with. 

INSnTTJTE FOB THE DEAF AND DUMB. 

In 1843 the Governor was also instructed to obtain plans and 
information respecting the care of mutes, and the Legislature also 
levied a tax to provide for them. The first one to agitate the subject 
was William Willard, himself a mute, who visited Indiana in 1843, 
and opened a school for mutes on his own account, with 16 pupila. 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 



231 



Notre Dame University, near South Bend, is a Catholic institu- 
tion, and is one of the most noted in the United States. It was 
founded in 1842 by Father Sorin. The first building was erected 
in 1843, and the university has continued to grow and prosper until 
the present time, now having 35 professors, 26 instructors, 9 tutors, 
213 students and 12,000 volumes in library. At present the main 
building has a frontage of 224 feet and a depth of 155. Thousands 
of young people have received their education here, and a large 
number have been graduated for the priesthood. A chapter was 
held here in 1872, attended by delegates from all parts of the world. 
It is worthy of mention that this institution has a bell weighing 
13,000 pounds, the largest in the United States and one of the finest 
in the world. 

The Indiana Ashury University, at Greencastle, is an old and 
well-established institution under the auspices of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, named after its first bishop, Asbury. It was 
founded in 1835, and in 1872 it had nine professors and 1T2 
students. 

Howard College, not denominational, is located at Kokomo, and 
was founded in 1869. In 1872 it had five professors, four instructors, 
and 69 students. 

Union Christian College, Christian, at Merom, was organized in 
1858, and in 1872 had four resident professors, seven instructors 
and 156 students. 

Moore's Hill College, Methodist Episcopal, is situated at Moore's 
Hill, was founded in 1854, and in 1872 had five resident professors, 
five instructors, and 142 students. 

Earlham's College, at Richmond, is under the management of 
the Orthodox Friends, and was founded in 1859. In 1872 they 
had six resident professors and 167 students, and 3,300 volumes in 
library. 

Wahash College, at Crawfordsville, was organized in 1834, and 
bad in 1872, eight professors and teachers, and 231 students, with 
about 12,000 volumes in the library. It is under Presbyterian 
management. 

Concordia College, Lutheran, at Fort Wayne, was founded in 
1850; in 187i- it had four professors and 148 students: 3,000 volumes 
in library. 

Hanover College, Presbyterian, was organized in 1833, at Han- 
over, and in 1872 had seven professors and 118 students, and 7,000 
volumes in library. 



332 mSTORY OF INDIANA. 

ffartsvilU Uhvversity, United Brethren, at Hartsville, was 
ft^unded in 1854, and in 1872 had seven professors and 117 students. 

Northwestern Christian University, Disciples, is located at 
Irvington, near Indianapolis. It was founded in 1854, and by 
1872 it had 15 resident professors, 181 students, and 5,000 volumes 
in library. 

BENEVOLENT AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS. 

By the year 1830, the influx of paupers and invalid persons was 
so great that the Governor called upon the Legislature to take 
steps toward regulating the matter, and also to provide an asylum 
for the poor, but that body was very slow to act on the matter. 
At the present time, however, there is no State in the Union which 
URu boast a better system of benevolent institutions. The Benevo- 
lent Society of Indianapolis was organized in 1843. It was a 
pioneer institution ; its field of work was small at first, but it has 
grown into great usefulness. 

INSTITUTE FOE THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND. 

In behalf of the blind, the first effort was made by James M. Ray, 
lJ)out 1846. Through his efforts William H. Churchman came 
from Kentucky with blind pupils and gave exhibitions in Mr. 
Beecher's church, in Indianapolis. These entertainments were 
•ttended by members of the Legislature, for whom indeed they 
were especially intended; and the effect upon them was so good, 
that before they adjourned the session they adopted measures to es- 
tftblish an asylum for the blind. The commission appointed to carry 
out these measures, consisting of James M. Ray, Geo. W. Mears, 
nod the Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor of State, engaged Mr. 
Churchman to make a lecturing tour through the State and collect 
statistics of the blind population. 

The " Institute for the Education of the Blind " was founded by 
the Legislature of 1847, and first opened in a rented building Oct. 
1, of that year. The permanent buildings were opened and occu- 
pied in February, 1853. The original cost of the buildings and 
gVQund was $110,000, and the present valuation of buildings and 
grounds approximates $300,000. The main building is 90 feet 
l09g by 61 deep, and with its right and left wings, each 30 feet in 
lipeKLt and 83 m ^^th, gi^ an esitire frontage of 150 feet. Tl^^ 
main building is five stories in height, sormonnted by a oapoJ* <«f 



BISTORT OF INDIANA. 223 

State. The advanced course of studies, together with the higher 
studies of the normal school, embraces Latin and German, and pre- 
pares young men and women for entrance to the State University. 

The efficiency of this school may be elicited from the following 
facts, taken from the official reports: out of 41 persons who had 
graduated from the elementary course, nine, after teaching success- 
fully in the public schools of this State from two terms to two 
years, returned to the institution and sought admission to the 
advanced classes. They were admitted; three of them were gentle- 
men and six ladies. After spending two years and two terms in the 
elementary course, and then teaching in the schools during the 
time already mentioned they returned to spend two and a half or 
three years more, and for the avowed purpose of qualifying them- 
selves for teaching in the most responsible positions of the public 
school service. In fact, no student is admitted to the school who 
does not in good faith declare his intention to qualify himself for 
teaching in the schools of the State. This the law requires, and 
the rule is adhered to literally. 

The report further says, in speaking of the government of the 
school, that the fundamental idea is rational freedom, or that free- 
dom which gives exemption from the power of control of one over 
another, or, in other words, the self-limiting of themselves, in their 
acts, by a recognition of the rights of others who are equally free. 
The idea and origin of the school being laid down, and also the 
means by which scholarship can be realized in the individual, the 
student is left to form his own conduct, both during session hours 
and while away from school. The teacher merely stands between 
this scholastic idea and the student's own partial conception of it, 
as expositor or interpreter. The teacher is not legislator, executor 
or police officer; he is expounder of the true idea of school law, so 
that the only test of the student's conduct is obedience to, or 
nonconformity with, that law as interpreted by the teacher. This 
idea once inculcated in the minds of the students, insures industry, 
punctuality and order. 

NOETHEEN INDIANA NOEMAL SCHOOL AND BUSINESS INSTITUTE, 
VALPARAISO. 

This institution was organized Sept. 16, 1873, with 35 student! 
in attendance. The school occupied the building known as th« 
Valparaiso Male and Female College building. Four teachers 



230 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

•were employed. The attendance, so small at first, increased rap- 
idly and steadily, until at the present writing, the seventh year 
in the history of the school, the yearly enrollment is more than 
three thousand. The number of instructors now employed is 23. 

From time to time, additions have been made to the school 
buildings, and numerous boarding halls have been erected, so that 
now the value of the buildings and grounds owned by the school 
is one hundred thousand dollars. 

A large library has been collected, and a complete equipment of 
philosophical and chemical apparatus has been purchased. The 
department of physiology is supplied with skeletons, manikins, 
and everything necessary to the demonstration of each branch of 
the subject. A large cabinet is provided for the study of geology. 
In fact, each department of the school is completely furnished 
with the apparatus needed for the most approved presentation of 
every subject. 

There are 15 chartered departments in the institution. These 
are in charge of thorough, energetic, and scholarly instructors, and 
send forth each year as graduates, a large number of fiuely cultured 
young ladies and gentlemen, living testimonials of the efficiency 
of the course of study and the methods used . 

The Commercial College in connection with the school is in itself 
a great institution. It is finely fitted up and furnished, and ranks 
foremost among the business colleges of the United States. 

The expenses for tuition, room and board, have been made so 
low that an opportunity for obtaining a thorough education is 
presented to the poor and the rich alike. 

All of this work has been accomplished in the short space of 
seven years. The school now holds a high place among educational 
institutions, and is the largest normal school in the United States. 

This wonderful growth and development is wholly due to the 
energy and faithfulness of its teachers, and the unparalleled exec- 
utive ability of its proprietor and principal. The school is not 
endowed. 

DENOMINATIONAL AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. 

'Not is Indiana behind in literary institutions under denomina- 
tional auspices. It is not to be understood, however, at the present 
day, that sectarian doctrines are insisted upon at the so-called 
" denominational" colleges, universities and seminaries; the youth at 
these places are influenced only by Christian example. 



HI8T0BT OF INDIAWA. 237 

The next year the Legislature adopted this school as a State insti- 
tution, appointing a Board of Trustees for its management, consist- 
ing of the Governor and Secretary of State, ex-ofl5cio,and Revs. Henry 
Ward Beecher, Phineas D. Gurley, L. H. Jameson, Dr. Dunlap, 
Hon. James Morrison and Rev. Matthew Simpson. They rented the 
large building on the southeast corner of Illinois and Maryland 
streets, and opened the first State asylum there in 1844; but in 1846, 
a site for a permanent building just east of Indianapolis .vas selected, 
consisting first of 30 acres, to which 100 more have been added. 
On this site the two first structures were commenced in 1849, and 
completed in the fall of 1850, at a cost of $30,000. The school 
was immediately transferred to the new building, where it is still 
flourishing, with enlarged buildings and ample facilities for instruc- 
tion in agriculture. In 1869-70, another building was erected, 
and the three together now constitute one of the most benefi- 
cent and beautiful institutions to be found on this continent, at 
an aggregate cost of $220,000. The main building has a fapade of 
260 feet. Here are the oflSces, study rooms, the quarters of officers 
and teachers, the pupils' dormitories and the library. The center 
of this building has a frontage of eighty feet, and is five stories high, 
with wings on either side 60 feet in frontage. In this Central 
structure are the store rooms, dining-hall, servants' rooms, hospital, 
laundry, kitchen, bakery and several school-rooms. Another struct- 
ure known as the " rear building " contains the chapel and another 
set of school-rooms. It is two stories high, the center being 50 feet 
square and the wings 40 by 20 feet. In addition to these there are 
many detached buildings, containing the shops of the industrial 
department, the engine-house and wash-house. 

The grounds comprise 105 acres, which in the immediate vicinity 
of the buildings partake of the character of ornamental or pleasure 
gardens, comprising a space devoted to fruits, flowers and veget- 
ables, while the greater part is devoted to pasture and agriculture. 

The first instructor in the institution was Wm. Willard, a deaf 
mute, who had up to 1844 conducted a small school for the instruc- 
tion of the deaf at Indianapolis, and now is employed by the State, 
at a salary of $800 per annum, to follow a similar vocation in its 
service. In 1853 he was succeeded by J. S. Brown, and subse- 
quently by Thomas Mclntire, who continues principal of the 
institution. 



238 HISTORY OB^ INDIANA. 



HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE. 



The Legislature of 1832-'3 adopted measures providing for a 
State hospital for the insane. This good work would have been 
done much earlier had it not been for the hard times of 1837, 
intensified bv the results of the gigantic scheme of internal improve- 
ment. Ir order to survey the situation and awaken public sympa- 
thy, the county assessors were ordered to make a return of the 
insane in their respective counties. During the year 1842 the 
Governor, acting under the direction of the Legislature, procured 
considerable information in regard to hospitals for the insane in 
other States; and Dr. John Evans lectured before the Legislature 
on the subject of insanity and its treatment. As a result of these 
efforts the authorities determined to take active steps for the estab- 
lishment of such a hospital. Plans and suggestions from the 
superintendents and hospitals of other States were submitted to the 
Legislature in 1844, which body ordered the levy of a tax of one 
cent on the $100 for the purpose of establishing the hospital. In 
1845 a commission was appointed to obtain a site not exceeding 
200 acres. Mount Jackson, then the residence of Nathaniel Bolton, 
was selected, and the Legislature in 1S46 ordered the commissioners 
to proceed with the erection of the building. Accordingly, in 
1847, the central building was completed, at a cost of $75,000. It 
has since been enlarged by the addition of wings, some of which 
are larger than the old central building, until it has become an 
immense structure, having cost over half a million dollars. 

The wings of the main building are four stories high, and entirely 
devoted to wards for patients, being capable of accommodating 
500. 

The grounds of the institution comprise 160 acres, and, like 
those of the institute for the deaf and dumb, are beautifully laid 
out. 

This hospital was opened for the reception of patients in 1848. 
The principal structure comprises what is known as the central 
building and the right and left wings, and like the institute for the 
deaf and dumb, erected at various times and probably under various 
adverse circumstances, it certainly does not hold the appearance of 
any one design, but seems to be a combination of many. Not- 
withstanding these little defects in arrangement, it presents a very 
imposing appearance, and shows what may be termed a frontage 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 239 

of 624 feet. The central building is five stories in height and con- 
tains the store-rooms, offices, reception parlors, medical dispensing 
rooms, mess-rooms and the apartments of the superintendent and 
other officers, with those of tlie female employes. Immediately 
in the rear of the central building, and connected with it by a 
corridor, is the chapel, a building 50 by 60 feet. This chapel 
occupies the third floor, while the under stories hold the kitchen, 
bakery, employes' dining-room, steward's office, employes' apart- 
ments and sewing rooms. In rear of this again is the engine- 
house, 60 by 50 feet, containing all the paraphernalia for such an 
establishment, such as boilers, pumping works, fire plugs, hose, 
and above, on the second floor, the laundry and apartments of male 
employes. 

THE STATE PRISON SOUTH. 

The first penal institution of importance is known as the " State 
Prison South," located at Jeffersonville, and was the only prison 
until 1859. It was established in 1821. Before that time it was 
customary to resort to the old-time punishment of the whipping- 
post. Later the manual labor system was inaugurated, and the 
convicts were hired out to employers, among whom were Capt. 
Westover, afterward killed at Alamo, Texas, with Crockett, James 
Keigwin, who in an afi'ray was fired at and severely wounded by a 
convict named Williams, Messrs. Patterson Hensley, and Jos. 
R. Pratt. During the rule of the latter of these lessees, the atten- 
tion of the authorities was turned to a more practical method of 
utilizing convict labor; and instead of the prisoners being per- 
mitted to serve private entries, their work was turned in the direc- 
tion of their own prison, where for the next few years thej were 
employed in erecting the new buildings now known as the " State 
Prison South." This structure, the result of prison labor, stands 
on 16 acres of ground, and comprises the cell houses and work- 
shops, together with the prisoners' garden, or pleasure-ground. 

It seems that in the erection of these buildings the aim of the 
overseers was to create so many petty dungeons and unventilated 
laboratories, into which disease in every form would be apt to 
creep. This fact was evident from the high mortality character- 
izing life within the prison; and in the efforts made by the 
Government to remedy a state of things which had been permitted 
to exist far too long, the advance in prison reform has become a 
reality. T^rom 1857 to 1871 the labor of the prisoners was devoted 



340 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

to the manufacture of wagons and farm implements; and again the 
old policy of hiring the convicts was resorted to; for in the latter 
year, 1871, the Southwestern Car Company was organized, and 
every prisoner capable of taking a part in the work of car- building 
was leased out. This diJ very well until the panic of 1873, when 
the company suffered irretrievable losses; and previous to its final 
down-fall in 1876 the warden withdrew convict labor a second time, 
leaving the prisoners to enjoy a luxurious idleness around the 
prison which themselves helped to raise. 

In later years the State Prison South has gained some notoriety 
from the desperate character of some of its inmates. Daring the 
civil war a convict named Harding mutilated in a most horrible 
manner and ultimately killed one of the jailors named Tesley. In 
1874, two prisoners named Kennedy and Applegate, possessing 
themselves of some arms, and joined by two other convicts named 
Port and Stanley, made a break for freedom, swept past the guard. 
Chamberlain, and gained the fields. Chamberlain went in pursuit 
but had not gone very far when Kennedy turned on his pursuer, 
fired and killed him instantly. Subsequently three of the prisoners 
were captured alive and one of them paid the penalty of death, 
while Kennedy, the murderer of Chamberlain, failing committal for 
murder, was sent back to his old cell to spend the remainder of his 
life. Bill Eodifer, better known as "The Iloosier Jack Sheppard," 
efiected his escape in 1875, in the very presence of a large guard, 
but was recaptured and has since been kept in irons. 

This establishment, owing to former mismanagement, has fallen 
very much behind, financially, and has asked for and received an 
appropriation of $20,000 to meet its expenses, while the contrary 
is the case at the Michigan City prison. 

THE STATE PRISON NORTH. 

In 1859 the first steps toward the erection of a prison in the 
northern part of the State were taken, and by an act of the Legis- 
lature approved March 5, this year, authority was given to construct 
prison buildings at some point north of the National road. For this 
purpose $50,000 were appropriated, and a large number of convicts 
from the Jefiersonville prison were transported northward to 
Michigan City, which was just selected as the location for the new 
penitentiary. The work was soon entered upon, and continued to 
meet with additions and improvements down to a very recent 
period. Si^ late as 1875 the Legislature appropriated $20,000 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 241 

toward the construction of new cells, and in other directions also 
the work of improvement has been going on. The system of 
government and discipline is similar to that enforced at the Jeffer- 
son ville prison; and, strange to say, by its economical working has 
not only met the expenses of the administration, but very recently 
had amassed over $11,000 in excess of current expenses, from its 
annual savings. This is due almost entirely to the continual 
employment of the convicts in the manufacture of cigars and 
chairs, and in their great prison industry, cooperage. It differs 
widely from the Southern, insomuch as its sanitary condition has 
been above the average of similar institutions. The strictness of its 
silent system is better enforced. The petty revolutions of its 
inmates have been very few and insignificant, and the number of 
punishments inflicted comparatively small. From whatever point 
this northern prison may be looked at, it will bear a very favorable 
comparison with the largest and best administered of like establish- 
ments throughout the world, and cannot fail to bring high credit to 
its Board of Directors and its able warden. 

FEMALE PRISON AND REFOEMATOBT. 

The prison reform agitation which in this State attained telling 
proportions in 1869, caused a Legislative measure to be brought 
forward, which would have a tendency to ameliorate the condition 
of female convicts. Gov. Baker recommended it to the General 
Assembly, and the members of that body showed their appreciation 
of the Governor's philanthropic desire by conferring upon the bill 
the authority of a statute; and further, appropriated $50,000 to aid 
in carrying out the objects of the act. The main provisions con- 
tained in the bill may be set forth in the following extracts from 
the proclamation of the Governor: 

" Whenever said institution shall have been proclaimed to De 
open for the reception of girls in the reformatory department 
thereof, it shall be lawful for said Board of Managers to receive 
them into their care and management, and the said reformatory 
department, girls under the age of 15 years who may be committed 
to their custody, in either of the following modes, to- wit: 

" 1. When committed by any judge of a Circuit or Common 
Pleas Court, either in term time or in vacation, on complaint and 
due proof by the parent or guardian that by reason of her incorrig- 
ible or vicious conduct she has rendered her control beyond the 
power of such parent or guardian, and made it manifestly requisite 



24-2 msTORT OF Indiana. 

that from regard to the future welfare of such infant, and for the 
protection of society, she should be placed under such guardianship. 

" 2. When such infant has been committed by such judge, as 
aforesaid, upon complaint by any citizen, and due proof of such 
complaint that such infant is a proper subject of the guardianship 
of such institution in consequence of her vagrancy or incorrigible 
or vicious conduct, and that from the moral depravity or other- 
wise of her parent or guardian in whose custody she may be, 
such parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to exercise the 
proper care or discipline over such incorrigible or vicious infant. 

" 3. When such infant has been committed by such judge as 
aforesaid on complaint and due proof thereof by the township 
trustee of the township where such infant resides, that such infant 
is destitute of a suitable home and of adequate means of obtaining 
an honest living, or that she is in danger of being brought up to 
lead an idle and immoral life." 

In addition to these articles of the bill, a formal section of 
instruction to the wardens of State prisons was embodied in the 
act, causing such wardens to report the number of all the female 
convicts under their charge and prepare to have them transferred 
to the female reformatory immediately after it was declared to be 
ready for their reception. After the passage of the act the 
Governor appointed a Board of Managers, an^ these gentlemen, 
securing the services of Isaac Hodgson, caused him to draft a plan 
of the proposed institution, and further, on his recommendation, 
asked the people -for an appropriation of another $50,000, which 
the Legislature granted in February, 1873. The work of construc- 
tion was then entered upon and carried out so steadily, that on the 
6th of September, 1873, the building was declared ready for the 
reception of its future inmates. Gov. Baker lost no time in 
proclaiming this fact, and October 4 he caused the wardens of the 
State pneons to be instructed to transfer all the female convicts in 
their custody to the new institution which may be said to rest on 
the advanced intelligence of the age. It is now called the 
" Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls." 

This building is located immediately north of the deaf and 
dumb asylum, near the arsenal, at Indianapolis. It is a three- 
story brick structure in the French style, and shows a frontage of 
174 feet, comprising a main building, with lateral and transverse 
wings. In front of the central portion is the residence of the 
superintendent and his associate reformatory officers, while in the 



HISTORY OF INDIANA. 243 

rear is the engine house, with all the ways and means for heating 
the buildings. Enlargements, additions and improvements are 
still in progress. There is also a school and library in the main 
building, which are sources of vast good. 

October 31, 1879, there were 66 convicts in the " penal" depart- 
ment and 117 in the " girls' reformatory " department. The 
" ticket-of-leave " system has been adopted, with entire satisfaction, 
and the conduct of the institution appears to be up with the 
times. 

INDIANA HOUSE OF REFUGE. 

In 1867 the Legislature appropriated $50,000 to aid in the 
formation of an institution to be entitled a house for the correction 
and reformation of juvenile defenders, and vested with full powers 
in a Board of Control, the members of which were to be appointed 
by the Governor, and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
This Board assembled at the Governor's house at Indianapolis, 
April 3, 1867, and elected Charles F. Coffin, as president, and 
visited Chicago, so that a visit to the reform school there might 
lead to a fuller knowledge and guide their future proceedings. 
The House of Refuge at Cincinnati, and the Ohio State Reform 
school were also visited with this design ; and after full consider- 
ation of the varied governments of these institutions, the Board 
resolved to adopt the method known as the " family " system, 
which divides the inmates into fraternal bodies, or small classes, 
each class having a separate house, house father and family offices, 
— all under the control of a general superintendent. The system 
being adopted, the question of a suitable location next presented 
itself, and proximity to a large city being considered rather 
detrimental to the welfare of such an institution. Gov. Baker 
selected the site three-fourths of a mile south of Plainfield, and 
about fourteen miles from Indianapolis, which, in view of its 
eligibility and convenience, was fully concurred in by the Board 
of Control. Therefore, a farm of 225 acres, claiming a fertile soil 
and a most picturesque situation, and possessing streams of running 
water, was purchased, and on a plateau in its center a site for the 
proposed house of refuge was fixed. 

The next movement was to decide upon a plan, which ultimately 
met the approval of the Governor. It favored the erection of one 
principal building, one house for a reading-room and hospital, two 
large mechanical shops and eight family houses. January 1, 1868, 



244 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 

three family houses and work-shop were completed; in 1869 the 
main building, and one additional family house were added; but 
previous to this, in August, 186Y, a Mr. Frank P. Ainsworth and 
his wife were appointed hj the Board, superintendent and matron 
respectively, and temporary quarters placed at their disposal. In 
1869 they of course removed to the new building. This is 64 by 
128 feet, and three stories high. In its basement are kitchen, 
laundry and vegetable cellar. The first floor is devoted to offices, 
visitors' room, house father and family dining-room and store- 
rooms. The general superintendent's private apartments, private 
offices and five dormitories for officers occupy the aecond floor; 
while the third floor is given up to the assistant superintendent's 
apartment, library, chapel and hospital. 

The family houses are similar in style, forming rectangular build- 
ings 36 by 68 feet. The basement of each contains a furnace 
room, a store-room and a large wash-room, which is converted into 
a play-room during inclement weather. On the first floor of each 
of these buildings are two rooms for the house father and his 
family, and a school-room, which is also convertible into a sitting- 
room for the boys. On the third floor is a family dormitory, a 
clothes-room and a room for the " elder brother," who ranks next 
to the house father. And since the reception of the first boy, from 
Hendricks county, January 23, 1868, the house plan has proved 
equally convenient, even as the management has proved efficient. 

Other buildings have since been erected. 





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7 



PART II. 

HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY, 



CHAPTER I.* 

Geology — Boundary — Surface Features — Paleozoic Geology- 
Section OF THE County— The Coals- Local Fossils— Township 
Characteristics— Valuable Stone Strata — Economic Consid- 
erations. 

PIKE COUNTY is bounded iiortli by Knox and Daviess Coun- 
ties, east by Dubois, soutli by Warrick and Gibson and west 
by Gibson, and contains 338 square miles. White and Patoka 
Rivers with their numerous small branches di-ain tlie entire county. 
Hiii-face Grolugi/. — Only a few evidences of the glacial period 
ap])ear in this county, and such as there are come mainly from 
upj)er localities, having been washed here. The loess loam is 
found on the high hills near Pikesville, and appears as an ash- 
gray impalpable sand, washed (^f its fertile elements. Here it 
was deposited when the ancient river which traversed this county 
was at high water mark. South Patoka Valley has been cut down 
120 t(> 100 feet from its height in ancient times. The strata of the 
surrcninding hills appear in regular order, proving the origin of the 
valley by erosion. Ancient streams have traversed i"> nearly all 
directions the western and soiithwestern part of the county. The 
barren deposits southwest of Winslow prove this. East of Peters- 
burg is found a rich black soil covered with a young growth of 
timber; and here doubtless at no very distant period was a tract 
of prairie. Beneath the surface are beds of clay and sand, clearly 
laminated, with fragments of trees and enormous grape vines, 
establishing the lacustrine origin of the plain. On the north of 
this plain or plateau are ancient sand bars on the White River 

♦Adapted to this volume from the report of the State Geologist, E. T. Cox, in 1872. 



246 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

bluffs over 100 feet above the river fixing the high water level of 
the ancient "White Eiver, 

Paleozoic Geology. — The visible rocks of the county are the 
massive conglomerates or subcarboniferous sandstones and those 
of the coal measures. The county section from west to east 
across the county is as follows: 

Loess, drift, lacustrine clay, sandstone and limestone. . . 84 

Coal and slate, rash , 1^ 

Fire clay, silicious shales and flagstones 28 

Coal, rash | 

Fire-clay, silicious shales, thin bedded sandstones, buff, 

quarry sandstone, clay shales and black slate 49i 

Coal N Ito 4i 

Fire clay, silicious flagstones, ferruginous limestones, 

clay shale and black slate 18| 

CoalM 2i 

Fire-clay, argillaceous sandstone, silicious, shales and 
flagstones clay shale and soapstone with fossil 

plants 62f 

Coal L .; 3tol0i 

Fire-clay, soapstone, clay shale, thin bedded sandstone, 
silicious flagstones, aluminous shale, clay shale with 
iron nodule, calcareo-magnesian limestone, ochre, 

black bituminous slate andpyritous clod 72 

Coal K 2 to 10 

Fire-clay, coarse ferruginous laminated sandrock, mas- 
sive conglomerates, gray aluminous shale, calcareous 

shale, black slate and cannel coal 79J 

Coal A 1 to 5i 

Fire-clay and silicious shales and flagstones 10 

Coal A underlies the whole county, but outcrops are seen only 
in ravines on the eastern border. Immense blocks of the mass- 
ive conglomerate appearing below Coal K may be quarried in 
unlimited quantities. This stone in this county is the terminut 
of the conglomerate spur, which extends westward across Dubois 
County, and disappears under the surface near Winslow. Coal 
K is found well up on the hill sides in the conglomerate sand- 
stone region. From the east, going westward, this coal dips rap- 
idly, and increases in thickness, reaching five to nine feet. The 
limestone above Coal K furnishes good lime, and is two to three 
feet thick. It contains the following fossils : Productus puncta- 
tus, P. semireticulaius, P. costatus, Spirifer cameratus, S. Uneatus, 
Athyris suhtilata, Pinnce, Myalina, Allorisma, Discina, Nautilus 
decoratus and Crinoid stems. It also contains Gasteropods, 
Aviculopecten Providence, Phillipsia, and Chonestes mesoloba. 
Coal L is found on the hill tops at Pikesville and near the surface 
in the high lands east of Otwell. This seam has been eroded 
north and south through the county. It is a valuable coking 



HISTORY OF PIKF? OOOKTY- 247 

coal, and occurs from four to ten and a half feet thick. In the 
86apstone above it, called the "fern bed," occur tiie following 
fossil plants: Pecopteris arborescens, Neuropteris rarinervis, 
Annularia longifoUa, SpJu .,^ij,vyuum Schlotheimii, Asierophvl 
lites equisetiformis, Cerdailcs, angustifolia, Paleoxylon, Lepido- 
dendron elegans and Sigillaria reniformis. Outcrops of Coals M 
and N, about three miles west of the line dividing Ranges 7 and 
8, except in the southwestern part, where both are eroaed. 
Neither of these coals possesses great economic value to thp 
county, though in localities both are found workable and good. 
The rash coals are not constant. They are thin, and of doubtful 
workable value. 

Local Details. — The couglomerate spur, which enters the 
county from the east, terminates abruptly, forming a line of pre- 
cipitous bluffs, against which the waters of the carboniferous seas 
beat and the coal seams were deposited. An ancient river sand- 
bar mav be seen in western Logan Township. 135 feet above the 
Patoka. (yoal > is workod considtn-ahly m Town 1 south, Raii^t 
II west. It is from three to four feet thick, with a little more 
than a foot of choice coking coal. Numerous outcrops of Con I 
M may he seen in Town 1 south. Range S west. At Alexanders 
Mine, on the Hosmer and Petersburg road, coal N is four feet and 
seven inclies thick, four feet of whicli is good coal. The follow- 
ing sectit)n was taken at Sandhill, two miles nortli of Petersburg: 

feet. 

Ancient river sand 10 to 20 

Silicious shale 7 

Soapstone with Pecopteris, Neuropteris, Aste- 

(>])hyllites, Cordaites and Flabellaria i 

(■(.al N ;j to4i- 

Fire-clay 2 to 4 

Soapstone 8 

yilicious shale 2 to 12 

Ferruginous limestone with Productus 

jjunrtdtiis, Spirifer liiieatas, Cyathox onin- 

prolifera, Chcetetea milliporaceus Athyris 

sabtiliitd and Gasteropods 2i 

Calcarioiis and pyritous clay 1 to ;} 

Coal.M 2| 

Fire clay 8 

Sandslon.' 3 to 20 

Covere(l silicious Hags and shales 20 

Soapstone 10 

Coal Li reported 1 8 



248 {IISTORY OF IMKK COUNTY. 

In tlie Bontlnvest part of Petersburg the following section oe- 
cnrs : Soil and clay, 28 feet; shellstone, 10 feet; slate and 
boulders, '2 feet; Coal K, 10 feet; fire-clay. 2+ feet. On Secticni 
12, Town 1 north, Range 8 west, at the Posey Mine, Coal K is 
from five to nine feet thick. Many banks f)f this coal have been 
(>[)ened in this vicinity. At the old DeBruler shaft Coal K is over 
seven feet thick. Tliis is on Section 7, Townshi]) 1 north. Range 
7 west. Numerous shafts have been sunk in this township. Three 
specimens of the Mound-Builders' works may be seen just north 
of Otwell. South of tliis in several localities white sulphur 
springs burst out of the limestone roof of Coal K. An excellent 
quality of cannel coal is found on Section 31, Township 1 south. 
Range (5 west, and at numerous other places in this vicinity. 
Numerous coal shafts have been sunk between Patoka River and 
Flat Creek. In some cases copperas is made from the refuse of 
these mines. On Section 5, Township 1 south, Range (> west, is 
a valuaible chalybeate spring, and on Section 35, Township 1 south, 
Range 7 west, is another highly prized and very valuable for dis- 
eases of the stomach, kidneys, skin, etc. Coal K is well developed 
near Winslow, and is nearly six feet thick. It outcrops and is 
worked in numerous localities. Coal L is extensively worked in 
Township 2 south, Range 7 west, and varies from three to five 
feet thick. East of this over a large area Coal L has been eroded 
by the ancient river. In many of the ravines bordering the Pa- 
toka, Coal A outcrops, and is from three to four and one-half feet 
thick. At Pikesville Coal L is found in wells near the surface. 
Coal K on the hill sides and Coal A a little below the water level 
of Patoka River. The following section is given : 

Feet. 

Soil and loess loam 20 

Silicious shale and soapstone 18 

Coal L li 

Fire-clay 3 

Silicious and clay shale 30 

Ochre and black slate 3 

CoalK 3 

Laminated sandstone 20 

Massive sandstone 60 

Aluminous shale 30 

Coal A 4 

A spring containing the sulphates of iron, 3,lumina, sodium 
and perhaps magnesia, issues from the northern part of Pikes- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 'J4l* 

ville. Coal L is rare east of this town. Coal K is on the hill 
tops, and in places is wholly missing by erosion. Coal A is found 
near the water level. Between coals A and K the conglomerate 
sandstone is well developed. Coal A is often a valuable cannel 
coal. Good coal is found in the vicinity of Stendal, and numer- 
ous banks have been opened. West of Stendal Coal K becomes 
better developed and lower down. It is usually between four and 
five feet thick. East of Pleasantville is one of the most product- 
ive coal regions of the county. Coal K is rarely less than four 
feet, and often exceeds six feet. The thin limestone roof of K is 
used to wall wells. North of this the strata are not much re- 
vealed. Snake Knob and vicinity was in early years famous for 
its snakes. Coal K has been worked in several banks around Ar- 
cadia, and is usually about four feet thick. On Section 9, Town- 
ship 2 south, Kange 8 west, at the old Martin bank, the following 
section was taken ; 

Feet. 

Soil, clay, etc 18 

Black slate 1 

CoalM 2i 

Fire-clay 4^ 

Silicious shales and soapstones 57^ 

Soapstone with ferns 4 

Coal L: 

Feet. Inches. 

Slaty coal 4 

Laminated coal 2 6 

Soft black slate 4 

Good smith coal 1 6 

White clay and soft coal 2 

Good smith coal 2 6 

Rash pyritous coal 2 

9 4 
Fire-clay 4f 

Economic Geology. — The county coals are usually coking, and 
are fully up to the average of the AVestern States. The supply 
is practicably inexhaustible. The loess sands and clays furnish 
good material for bricks. The fire clays underlying the coals are 
of the best quality for pottery wares. It is necessary to weather 
this clay before it can be used. The glacial and lacustrine clays 
of the northern part of the county are also good for pottery ware. 
Silicious iron ores are found among the conglomerate sandstones 
north and east of Pikesville, but they are not desirable. The far- 



250 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

ruginous limestone found in the beds of the old canal and along 
the banks of White River north of Petersburg, contains much 
iron ore. The clay iron stones in the southern part are good for 
paints, but are abundant, seemingly, only in the southwestern cor- 
ner. Occasionally specimens of gold, copper, lead, etc., are found 
amoiig the glacial drift of the county. Numerous tales are told 
of Ijidian traditions of the existence in the county of valuable 
mine&-of the precious metals. Few except the lazy and credu- 
lous give any heed to the traditions. About Pikesville are found 
enormous quantities of the subcarbonif erous sandstone. It i sex- 
cellent for weathering and masonry. Some valuable limestone 
is found, but usually in thin strata. In the northern half the soil 
consists of dark colored alluvium, sandy loams and loess. In the 
Patoka bottoms appear the impalpable sands washed from the 
loess on the hills. All this soil can be improved by under-drain- 
age. In the basin south of the Patoka mineral salts are com- 
mon, and the soil is red from the decomposed ironstones. North 
of the Patoka the water of wells and springs is fair to good ; but 
south, especially about Pikesville, it is highly charged with min- 
eral salts, unpleasant and unhealthy. Cisterns are used. Sev- 
eral valuable mineral springs exist in the county, and there are 
three or four of them, the Townsend, Milburn and Coats' Springs, 
possess the highest medicinal qualities, containing sulphates and 
carbonates of iron, soda, magnesia, alumina, lime, etc., besides 
valuable salts and acids. They are highly regarded locally. 



HISTORY OF IMKK COUNTY 



CHAPTER 11. 

BY PROF. Z. T. EMERSON. 

AND LAND Entries. 
mHE first settlement made in the county was at White Oak 
i Springs, in 1800, by Woolsey Pride. Here he built a block- 
htse 'about 1807. He was followed, in 1«02. by Henr-y MUey, 
the Cionrod and Tislow families in 1803. Da«d Mdey in 1804^ 
Hosea Smith in the spring of 1811. and in the fall by Chariesaad 
Ashbury Alexander and Jacob Chappell. Other t^'l^*^ *;* 
followeLoon after were the Butlers, Pearces, Merncks, Ashbys_ 
Pancakes, Colemans and Kearns. Hosea Smith was from North 
Carolina. He had with him his sons Henry, Onias and Hos^a 
and Stanton Lamb, his nephew. During the year 18 2 Char es 
Risley, the Scallerhern and AValker families came to this v emit 
for th'e protection of the block-house, and after the war of 1 82 
remained in the county. In 1810 James Trenton, Pete, Brentc.. 
Thomas Case, Thomas Mead, John Flinn, Moses Harrell and the 
Sir family settled near Petersburg, also about the same time 
John Mclntire and Thomas C. Stewart. „ «„ith 

The first postofBce in the township was kept by Hosea Smith 
at the Springs, about 1811. Smith was postmaster, surveyor^ 
justice of the peace, merchant and farmer. The office was on an 
old Indian "trace" leading from Vincennes to Louisville The 
road was there from time immemorial, leading from White River 
at Decker Ferry, White Oak Springs, Mud Holes near In and, 
Dubois County, French Lick, Paoli, to Louisville. G-^'Jgf ^^J" 
baugh carried the mail over this route once a week on foot; how- 
ever Mathias Mounts was the first carrier. 

ihe first mill of this township, and even in the county, was 
built by Henry Miley in 1821. It was a two-horse mill, with a 



rapacitNof ahout thirty-five bushels {M^day. N.>t ant; •.,.•■• I v 
patrons of tlie mill would have to wait ior t}i)tt\ six h ■ .; • lm 
their grist, as they often came from twenty miles <list.u;i .' iui 
ing their waiting they would spend their time in nIi'm ){i!i:^. 
racing, drinking, or other sport. At night they caini.i'.l .ut. 
The first bolting cloth used in the county was at Miley's Mil!, in 
1829. Jacob Stuckey build a saw and grist-mill in l^;i(», but ou 
his death, in 1838, the mill went down. In 1820 John "^Oung- 
man built a mill and copper distillery on what is now a part of 
Petersburg, He could make about one barrel of whisky per 
day, for which, according to the early records of Pike County, 
the commissioners allowed him to charge from 10 to 12i cents 
per gallon. Usually one gallon of whisky w: s given for one 
bushel of corn. This mill and distillery was burned in 1831, 
with a large quantity of whisky, and it is still remembered that 
while the precious liquid was flowing in wasteful streams through 
streets and gullies, some worshipers of Bacchus, through a feeling 
of economy, by means of straws, filled themselves, too unutterably 
full for intelligent utterance. The first steam-mill was built by 
John Graham in 1838, near the site of the steam-mill west of 
town. 

In 1828 Samuel Stuckey built the first tanyard on a part of 
the present site of Petersburg. This yard was in operation for 
fifty years or more. Its capacity was about $1,200 or $1,300 
worth of leather -annually. Hides were generally tanned on the 
shares, 1. e. one-half being given for the other. The skins of 
cattle, deer and elk were tanned. Many of those of the cattle 
were "Murrain" hides. 

Among the most noted hunters of this township were David 
and Ed Corn, Ben Ashby, Joe Pancake and George Teverbaugh. 
Deer were seen by the hundred. Turkeys were also very abund- 
ant. In 1832 a man named Langworth took a flat-boat load of 
deer hams and^hides down the river ; of these he bought 500 pairs 
of hams from David and Ed Corn, for which he paid from 13 to 
25 cents a pair. Solomon Teverbaugh killed in one day seventeen 
wild turkeys and carried them home, a distance of six miles. The 
next day, he carried them, on foot, to Vincennes, a distance of 
thirteen miles, and exchanged them for a bag of salt, with which 
he returned on the same day. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 253 

By an order of Paul Tislow, James Campbell and Harrison 
Blackgrave, with their names signed as county commissioners 
•'Esquires" (sic), it was decreed that the second township should 
be called Washington and should be bounded as follows : Begin- 
ning at second section line east of line dividing Ranges 8 and 
9; north by county line; east byline dividing Ranges 7 and 
8 ; south by county line, and west to boundary line of Madison 
^nwnship. 

At the first election Washington chose two justices who were 
elected Tuesday, February 25. 1817. The commissioners 
appointed John Butler, constable for Washington, with James 
Brenton, inspector. This election was held at the house of Henry 
Miley. The commissioners of the poor at that time were Benja- 
min Rice and John Coonrad. At the next election which was held 
August 4. 1817, there were seventy-six votes cast. The names 
of Brenton, Meade, Alexander, Rice, Lett, Hornady, and Campbell 
are frequently mentioned for office in the early history. Political 
chicanery was to be seen in the very beginning of the* county's 
history as may be seen from the following notice which we give 
verbatim: "Daniel Miley son of Henry you are hereby Notifyed 
that the election of Archabald Campbell as Justice of the Peace 
for the county of Pike is contested in consequence of improper 
Votes having been Taken and legal votes Refused September the 
15, 1820. John Butler.'' 

Mr. Campbell ofPered his resignation a short time after and it 
was accepted, but was re-elected to the same office the following 
May. 

Jefferson Toimship. — The county commissioners, in 1817, 
ordered the limit of this township to be fixed. The first settler 
in the township was, perhaps, Richard Ainby, who settled in the 
township about 1815. The Hargraves, De Brulers, and Barrets 
came from North Carolina at a very early day. In 1819 Judge 
Hammond settled at High Banks. He came fiom Massachu- 
setts, and "being well supplied with this world's goods, had 
brought many unwonted luxuries. He had wagons, forsooth, and 
glass, the first the settlers had seen, brought all the way from 
Pittsburgh, and it is said that when he had erected his house with 
sash and glass in the windows, large numbers came to see it. Up 
to that time, in the settler's rude cabin, light had been obtained 



254 HISTORY OF pike county. 

by leaviii*; out a part of the chinking in the crevices between the 
logs, or if very nice and stylish, by pasting greased paper over 
the apertures." Among others who had settled in Jefferson 
Township previous to 1817, were Benjamin Hays, Ebenezer 
Case, Henry Miley, William Hurst, James Payn, Henry Lace- 
field, Joab Chappell, William Shook, Daniel Kowe, and others. The 
first general election ever held in Jefferson was at the house of 
James Brinton, August 4, 1817, at which election twenty-six 
votes were cast; there had been an election for justice of the 
peace February 25, of the same year, at which but seventeen 
votes were cast, nine being for John Case, and eight for Eandle 
Lett for justice. Elections seem to have been held once or twice 
a year, for several years, either for township, county or State 
elections. August 2, 1818, Christopher Harrison received six- 
teen votes for governor, and Jennings seventeen for the same office, 
Randle Lett casting the first vote of the day, and William Har- 
grave the last. The first, and perhaps the only, scientific botan- 
ist and florist ever in the county was H. P. De Bruler, of Jeffer- 
son. He is said to have had flowers from many parts of the 
world. He was a Methodist preacher, and held a three-day's 
debate at "Old Prospect" with E. B. Mann. 

From almost the day of Independence until 1839 it was not 
only the custom, but also the law, to have annual muster, and 
many an old pioneer gained his pompous title of captain, major, 
colonel or general, at these bloodless displays of brass and tinsel. 
General muster occurred in the autumn of the year, after the busy 
season was over. There were company, regimental and brigade 
musters. One was held at Ditney Hill, one mile east of Peters- 
burg, in 1828. At this muster "Gen. Wright was commander; 
George Chambers, colonel ; Joseph Shawhan, lieutenant-colonel ; 
Isaac Crow, Hiram Conn, William Kinman, Daniel Conrad, Elias 
Osborn, and Pinas Smith, captains. The officers wore gorgeous 
uniforms, consisting of a blue coat, made of the usual homespun, 
cut swallow-tailed, with stripes of red tape sewed on the breast, 
and adorned with double rows of brass buttons, and huge brass 
tinsel epaulets, a sword, homespun or buckskin trousers, an enor- 
mous three-cornered hat, with waving plume, and moccasins, com- 
pleted the costume. The men dressed in ordinary frontier dress, 
with muskets or rifles, as chance might select. The law com- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 255 

pelling these martial displays was repealed in 1839. To these 
musters came the men to engage in mimic fray, the matrons to 
behold their prowess, and the lads and lassies not unfrequently to 
WOO. Muster day was set apart usually to settle old disputes and 
grudges, and frequently two giant frontiersmen engaged in a ter- 
rible tilt at fist-cuff. These tilts usually settled the matter, and 
the thing was dropped. Ebenezer Case, in 1814; Samuel Acker- 
man, three entries, 1818; Thomas Pride, 1814; Wolsey Pride, 
1814; John Case, 1814; Paul Tislow, 1815; Jessee Taylor, 1817; 
James Brenton, 1816. All these first entries were near High 
Banks or Long Branch. 

Madison Township. — This was the first division made for a 
township in Pike County, and the division was ordered made by 
the county commissioners, Paul Tislow, James Campbell and Harri- 
son Blackgrave, Monday, February 10, 1817, and the division was 
made the next day. It was called the First or Madison Town- 
ship, and was bounded on the south, west and north by the coun- 
ty lines and on the east by Washington Township. It is difficult 
to tell who the first settler was, but among the very earliest were 
John Miley, Sinzy Rogers, a relative of the Sinzys, Jonathan 
Park, the Williamsons, the Fowlers, the Brentons, Morgans, 
Burkharts, Snyders, who were from North Carolina, John and 
Peter Rebbling, Elijah Molett, MacAtees, George and William 
(Buck) Wright. At the first session of the county commission- 
ers in Pike County, at their session on the 10th day of February, 
1817, they called an election in Madison, to be held on the 25th 
day of February, of the same year, for the purpose of electing a 
justice of the peace. The names of those voted for were Zacha- 
ria Selby, William Wright and Thomas Withers. Of the forty- 
three votes cast Selby received nineteen, Wright thirteen and 
Withers ten. The election was held at the house of Archibald 
Pea and the election was certified to by Z. F. Selby and Aaron. 
A strange thing about this is that Selby himself was compelled to 
certify to his own election. Among the voters at the first elec- 
tion were Joseph Selby, G. Davidson, John Caldwell, John Catt, 
Thomas Withers, Philip Catt, Archibald Pea, John Johnson and 
others. Elections were held in Madison August 4, 1817, 
February 1818, August 3, 1818, August 7, 1819, 1820 and 1823. 
In the election in 1818, Madison Township cast ninety-two votes. 



256 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

of which Robert Brenton cast the first vote and Harrison Black- 
grave cast the last one. In the election in 1823 300 votes were 
cast, while on November 8, 1824, only eleven votes were cast, the 
last election having been called to fill the vacancy caused by the 
resignation of Henry Hopkins as justice of the peace. In Janu- 
ary, 1818, David Kinman received eight votes for justice of 
oeace with no opposition, while in the general election for gov- 
ernor in 1819, Gov. Jennings received sixty-eight votes while 
Christopher Harrison got twelve votes for the same office. While 
Vladison Township was one of the first settled and is truly the 
pioneer township, and while it possesses an intelligent class of 
farmers, it has neither postoffice, railroad, pike, store nor busi- 
ness house of any kind, except one small blacksmithshop, yet it 
has a soil of almost inexhaustible fertility and yields the patient 
and industrious husbandman a rich reward for his toils ; it is also 
well known that its pauper list is smaller than any. other in the 
county. 

A robbery was committed January 1, 1867, at Macon, Noxu- 
bee County Miss., the Southern Express Company having been 
sufferers to a large amount. A large reward had been offered 
by the company for the arrest of the thief and detectives were 
anxious for the reward. A requisition from the governor of Mis- 
sissipi had been made on the governor of Indiana for the person 
of Daniel Harrison alias J. W. Smith, a citizen of Madison 
Township, who was supposed to be connected with the robbery. 
Accordingly on the 12th day of February, 1867, while at Evansville 
on business he was suddenly arrested and thrown in jail and when 
on attempt was being made to have him released on a writ of 
habeas corpus, he was hurried across the river to Kentucky and 
taken to Macon, Miss. Word was sent to Representatives Wil- 
son and Barker who were at Indianapolis and the attention of 
the governor was called to the fact. He accordingly appointed 
Gen. Mansfield as agent for the State and he, with Richard Glad- 
dish, W. H. Gladdish and Robert Willis as' witnesses, proceeded 
to Mississippi where they found Harrison on trial for the robbery 
and in a fair way for the penitentiary. An alibi was quickly and 
clearly proven and he was accordingly brought home to his great 
satisfaction. It is a question if the detectives did not attempt to 
convict some one for the reward without regard to guilt. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 257 

The following is a list of land entries made in Washington 
and Madison Townships previous to the year 1818: George Ross 
and association, 1813; Jeremiah Arnold, 1813; Levi Kruman, 
1813; R. Lett, 1816; Henry Brenton, 1807; Walter Reading, 
1815; James Brenton, 1812; Moses Harrell, 1815; John Ooonrad^ 
four large tracts, 1815; Daniel Coonrad, 1815; Henry Miley, 1814; 
B. D. Savarns, 1814; Henry Miley, 1813; James Campbell, 1816, 
Silas Risby, 1813; Wolsey Pride, 1813; George Wallace, 1807; 
Wolsey Pride, 1808; James Brenton, 1807; David Hornady, 
1815; Hosea Smith, 1812; Paul Tislow, 1807; Reading & Co., 
1815; David Wease, David Kinnet(?), 1815; H. Smith, 1814; 
John Johnson, 1817; William Traylor, 1815; Hosea Smith, 1815; 
Paul Tislow, 1814; Samuel Baldwin, 1808; Trafton Bosen, 1815; 
John Defendall 1811. 

Clay and Logan ToiDnships. — Clay was originally a part of 
Gibson County, and was attached to Pike by an act of the Leg- 
islature in 1824. The first election was held on the first Satur- 
day in October, 1824, for choosing a justice of the peace. It was 
held at the house of James Lamsdale, and this settler acted 
as inspector of elections. At said election James Hillman received 
twenty-two votes for justice of the peace and Charles White 
twenty votes. The second election was also held at the house of 
James Lamsdale, the third in 1828, at Charles White's and only 
eighteen votes were cast for president. In the first presidential 
election held in the township the following persons voted : Charles 
and Joshua Young, James Hillman, Fielding Coleman, William 
Hovey, Charles White, Samuel Polk, James Lamsdale, Isaac 
Knight, Adam Nixon, Joe Davidson, Jonathan Young, John Hill, 
Elias Roberts, WiUiam M. Wright and John Hillman. In the 
same election Thomas White was inspector, and William McDon- 
nald, Charles White and Philip Catt were clerks. The first set- 
tlement ever made in the county was in Clay Township while it 
was all yet a part of Knox. One Glass settled on a donation in 
this township in the vicinity of the Davidson settlement and after 
his death the widow married a man by the name of Conyer who 
was from Pennnsylvania, and was a carpenter by trade. A settle- 
ment was also begun by Peter Frederick and by Capt. Reedy in 
the Catt neighborhood. 

In addition to those already mentioned were the Chambers 



•2.')H iiisTon.v OK I'lKi: coi \ ; ■, 

and Lindys. Many <>f those old sctthis have U-tt l.nuiii. ^. -.vli 
stiin)ear an lionorjdjh' |i;irt in soricty. \'\w incifji^t' of [...puln 
tion at first was quite slow, as is indicated Wy \.itcs at ditrncii; 
elections. In Aui^ust. l^-i(), for ('oneness only eii^ht vi.tes \vei.- 
cast. 'I'his election, as v ere numy sui)se<|nent electi<nis. was litM 
at the house of Charles AVliite. In IS'iT. for repj-esentative oiiK 
ei^ht were cast, while in Xovend)er. IS2^. for Pi-esident Johi; 
Adams received fifteen votes, and Andrew Jackson only thiei' 
In IS21) John M. Gray received three votes, and William Wri-;!]! 
six votes for justice of the peace, to iill a vacancy nnnle by (ieoiij^e 
Wright. A tread-mill and distillery was ])uilt north of Union 
about 1835, also a tanyard. l)y (xen. William M. Wright as early 
as 1824-, and continued in use till l's4(). The first ]H)stoflice in 
the township was at the Old Red Hoiise. on the farm of Patter- 
son. Among the earlier postmasters were Daniel Lanisdale, 
Daniel Roberts and Judge Hornbrook. 

Logan Townshi}) Avas originally a part of Madison, but was 
separated from it in 18-4-(). It was named in honor of Robert 
Logan, who represented the county at that time in the Legisla- 
ture. The commissicmers at that time were Henry Brenton. Con- 
rad Coleman and Richard Selby. 

The first election in the township was in A})ril, iS-lt'). at tJie 
house of Robert Crow, James O. (3rt)w being inspector of the 
board. The election was for two justices, one ins[)ector. two 
constables aud two fence viewers. The first settlers of what i^ 
now Logan were Joseph Woodry, Michael Kime. Isaac Knight. 
Robert C. Johnson, James McAfee, James Barnes, Samuel Barnes. 
John Barnes, Daniel Frederick, Adam Snyder and Isaac Loveless. 
Isaac Loveless built the fii'st mill in the township in 1880. 

Posioffice, Siumj)-MiU, Mines, Mineral Springs. — About 
1838 Valentine Hart introduced the famous stump-mill into 
the township. This avoided the necessity of frame work 
for a mill, as a large tree was cut down and the stump smoothed 
off and hollowed out to fit one stone, and the other was fitted 
over that one, and by a slow process the corn was reduced to a 
very indifferent meal. Robert Hawthorn kept the first postoffice 
in the township at Hawthorn's Mill. It was established about 
1850, and was kept up about ten years. There is an office now 
at West Saratoga Springs, and one at Oatsville, near the line of 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 25& 

Gibson County. While Pike County is one continuous coal field 
of vast wealth, little has ever been done to develop it, for want- 
of railroad facilities, until within the last few years. In 1850 A. 
J. Johnson discovered West Saratoga Springs, which attained 
some celebrity as a watering place. It might be said that almost 
every section of the county contains a mineral spring of more or 
less virtue. 

Assistant State Geologist Collet, Rev, Lewis Wilson and Dr. 
James Wilson measured a large hickory tree in Section 8, Town- 
ship 1 south, Eange 8 west, which was found to be over five feet 
in diameter, three feet above the ground, maintaining almost uni- 
form size to the height of sixty feet, without limbs. It is thought 
by Mr. Collet to be the largest tree of its kind in the world. The 
said tree is standing near West Saratoga Springs, in Logan 
Township. 

Monroe Tovmship. — Pike County at first was laid off into 
Madison, Washington, Jefferson and Harbison Townships. Thia 
was done by order of the county commissioners Monday, Feb- 
ruary 10, 1817, the commissioners being Paul Tislow, Jamea 
Campbell and Harrison Blackgrave. In 1820 an order was 
passed by the board of county commissioners creating a new 
township to be called Monroe, the commissioners in this case 
were Moses Harrel, Peter Brenton and Jesse Traylor. The work 
was to be done by William Black and Henry Coleman, The order 
said it should be marked by " a line east and west three miles 
south of the principal (sic) meridian (base line) to include 
the whole of the county." The first election held in Monroe 
Township was Monday, March 20, 1820, at the house of Henry 
Coleman. At said election only thirty-one votes were cast, and 
William Doughten was elected justice of the peace. The follow- 
ing are some of the voters : David Black, James Slater, William 
Condor, George Davis, James Hedge, John Wyatt and William 
Ashby, Black having cast the first vote and Henry Coleman the 
last. A short time after this Adams Township was created, 
embracing what is now a portion of Columbia Township, Gibson 
County, and a part of Logan Township. The same authority 
oaade the second Saturday in December as the time for the first 
election, and the house of Samuel McDill as the place, »nd 
Henry Hopkins as inspector of elections. 



2i;0 HISTORY OP^ PIKE COUNTY. 



iDliia- 



Wasliiii^^toii Criaiii^n' No. Oo'i, was organized at the Thi 
ScliooUiousc ill Wasliiiitftoii Township, November ('», iS~'A. 'Y[\> 
h)\\()^\'m^^ were tlie t-harter ninnibers: H. C. Brenton, R. Sh11)\. 
A. (1. Thomas. Henry Gladdish. H. (1. Sell)y. J. L. Brenton. 
J. L. rto])ins.nu .T. M. llolnnson. J. (). M. Selby. L. G. SeUn . 
P. C. Al)bot. J. W. Brumtield, J. P. Kiniuan, AVilliam Lomax. 
E. M. Selhy, 0. W. Tish.w, John Tislow. J. E. Bottom. G. W 
Sel])y, Abbie Thomas, Amelia Thomas, Sarah A. Selby. Dora 
Thomas, Mary Kiiiman, Elizabeth Loraax, Kate Brenton and 
Polly Selby. The following were the officers: H. C. Brenton. 
Master; J. W. Brunfield, secretary. By donation from the mem- 
])ers they built a suitable hall and purchased a good library, but the 
hall, furniture, library and all lixtures were destroyed by fire, Ai)ril 
11, ISSO — the supposed work of an incendiary. In the fall of the 
same year a new hall was Ijuilt, two miles west of where the old one 
stood. This grange has never attempted to run a store of their own. 
but frequently the meml^ers combine their orders and make pur- 
chases for the whole. The grange holds a grand feast once a year 
at their hall. The Washington Grange is the only one in the 
county, and we might say in this entire section of the State. 
The present officers are F. G. Selby, Master; H. C. Brenton, sec- 
retary. The present membership is forty-three, being an increase 
of nine within the last year. 

In an election in Adams Township, in August, 1S22, there 
were thirty vt)tes cast, the election having been held at the house 
of James B. McGarVali. In Monroe Township, in August, 1>^2H. 
Isaac Montgomery rt^'cived sixteen votes for State Senator, while 
David I\()l)b received none for the same office. By an act of the 
Legislature about 1S'2H, a })ortion of Gibson County was cut ot^' 
and given to Pike, which was immediately erected into C)^ 
Township, and the same act took away a portion of Adams '^nd 
gave to Gibson County, and the remaining j)ortion was attached 
to Madison, but now forming a portion of Logan. At the same 
time what was formerly called Harbison Townslii{>, was attached 
to Dubois. There" were only five or six elections ever held in 
Harbison Township while it was a part of Pike, and only twenty- 
one votes cast at any one time; about the same number occurred 
in Adams. In 1838, the commissioners ordered Patoka Township 
to be set off from Monroe, the place of the first election to be at 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 261 

the house of John Hathaway. The township took its name from 
the river of the same name. Logan was separated from Madison 
at the March term of the commissioners in 184(). Lockhart was 
taken out of Moiiroe in 1852, having its present boundaries from 
the first. It was named in honor of Judge Lockhart. The com- 
missioners at their September term in 1857, divided Patoka 
into two parts, the part set off being called Marion. 

Stranger's Rest Lodge No. 585, I. O. O. F. was organized 
July 19, 1881, at Washington Grange Hall, with the following 
charter members: H. C. Brenton, A. C. West, J. B. F. Bearing, 
George W. Selby, F. G. Selby and Thomas Abell. The officers 
are H. C. Brenton, N. G. ; A. C. West, V. G. ; J. B. F. Bearing, 
E. S.; F. G. Selby, treasurer; G. A. Selby, P. S. The present 
membership is sixteen. The following are the officers: D. G. 
Smith, N. G. ; A. D. HoUen, V. G. ; G. W. Selby, secretary, and 
H. C. Brenton, treasurer. 

As the settlements of all the south part of this county were 
made while it was yet Monroe Township, it would be impossible 
to separate the settlements of that part of the county. It is said 
that the first settlement made south of the Patoka, was in the 
year 1815, by Frank Taylor and George Adams, at Honey 
Springs. In 1817, Conrad LeMasters settled the old LeMasters 
farm. Conrad LeMasters was the father of Simeon LeMasters 
who is still living, and attended the first school ever taught in the 
township. John Ferguson lived in Monroe before 1820, as he 
taught school at Henry Springs that year. Among other men of 
mark of the time, who settled south of the river, or near it, were 
the Simpsons, the Masons, the Beattys, Hugh Shaw, — - Ashby, 
Pilly Pancake Jacob Nelson, A. J. Wells, Daniel Crow, John Mar- 
tin, one of the first business men, Arthur Thompson, H. T. 
Thompson, John S. Johnson, Aziel Whitman and Newton Brenton. 

Deer and turkeys existed invastnumbers;there were also num- 
bers of wolves, panthers, wild-cats and bears. It may be said that 
game was the chief subsistence of the early settlers. It was so 
abundant that the smaller game was not interfered with. The 
powder, lead and trouble being considered worth more than the 
game. When a deer was killed only the skin and hams were 
taken or sometimes the branching antlers to grace the hunter's 
humble home. A favorite way of cooking food was to hang a 



262 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

piece of venison or turkey beneath a piece of bear meat and allow 
the dripping grease of the bear meat to fall on the deer or 
turkey and thus season them by means of the rich grease of the 
bear. Mills being so scarce, frequently venison, turkey or bear- 
meat and hominy was the only food, the hominy taking the place 
of bread. Some of the most noted hunters of the times were 
Conrad LeMasters already mentioned, David Bilderback, Peter 
Ferguson, L. Miller, Dan Miller, Joe Honchins, Benjamin Hon- 
chins, Dan Hedrick, John Davis, David Corn and Andrew Corn. 
Miller in one winter killed 125 deer, on one occasion he shot an 
old doe and while sitting on a log preparatory to dress her, a 
fawn came galloping by, when Miller plunged his hunting knife 
into it and killed it. Wolves were often killed by the hunters 
finding their dens and by catching the puppies and making them 
cry their cries would bring the old one§ for protection and then 
they would kill them. This story is related in the Centennial: 
David Bilderback and Peter Ferguson went to a wolf's den, they 
knew of, intending to kill the puppies as the young wolves were 
called, and get their scalps for the reward then paid for wolf 
scalps. Bilderback stationed himself beside a tree at the entrance 
of the den to shoot any old wolves should any be attracted by the 
cries of the puppies. Ferguson entered the den and began the 
work of killing the puppies and cutting off their ears. The old 
ones came rushing at him in a terrible fury having heard the 
puppies' cries. But no shot was heard and Ferguson escaping 
barely with his life, rushed for his gun standing against a tree, 
and saw Bilderback up in a sapling hallooing to the wolves 
"begone." They drove the wolves ofP without having succeeded 
in k illing any of them, but they finished scalping the puppies and 
got their prize for scalps. LeMasters once discovered a genuine 
snake den on Snake Knob, a hill 290 feet high between Pleasant- 
ville and Lynnville. He awaited till the cool weather of the fall 
so that all the snakes would be together, and would be somewhat 
torpid. He, accompanied by Park Bethell, John Ferguson and 
others opened the den and killed 300 rattlesnakes and 200 others 
of different kinds. The knob is to this day called "Snake Knob." 
The above is given on the authority of Eev. John Ferguson, 
son of John Ferguson, Sr. On one occasion while LeMaster's 
dogs were fighting a bear in which the bear was getting the bet- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUKTY. 203 

ter of the figlit and fearing to shoot, for the safety of his dogs, 
he crept up behind the bear, while his attention was attracted to 
the dogs and plunged his hunting knife into his heart. 

Flat-boats began to run down the river as early as 1825. 
Among those who took flat-boats to New Orleans were James 
Amos, John Wheatley, John Ferguson and J. W. Cockrum. Vast 
improvements were made in the comforts of living after this time. 
The boats were loaded with some grain but mostly with "deer- 
saddles," hides and game. 

Usually several traders would lash their boats together and 
go down the river, sell out their goods, and boat if possible, and 
then would begin their long tedious journey homeward on foot 
through tangled everglades, swamps and canebrakes, always keep- 
ing near the river. After months of toil they would again re- 
turn, thinking nothing of their hardships. One authority says 
that the first boat ever sent down the Patoka was one loaded Avith 
pork in 1835, by J. W. Cockrun. It would not be out of place 
here to say that vast numbers of wild hogs were found in the 
woods. They were allowed to feed on the mast and roots and to 
care for themselves. About the only thing the owner would do 
would be to determine how many he thought he ought to have, 
and when fat he would kill that number if they could be found. 
The little expense of raising hogs and the small price they 
brought in the markets precluded the idea of any serious contests 
over them as they roamed the woods. 

John Hathaway built a mill below the bridge at Winslow on 
Patoka over thirty years ago, another was built in an early day 
by A. J. Kinman. John Meyo had a mill near where Pikesville 
now is. Summary justice was usually meted to offenders of the 
law without the pomp of form or display of judicial ermine. 
On one occasion a man named Moore was convicted of horse steal- 
ing and as a punishment he was publicly whipped and branded 
on the cheek with a " T " indicating that he was a thief. 

January 15, 1812, Aaron Decker made entries for land in 
Town 3 south. Range 8 west, a part of Section 6, eight acres; 
Town 3 south, Range 8 west, a part of Section 7, 137 acres; Town 
3 south, Range 8 west, a part of Section 7, four acres; David 
Leonard made entry for land in Town 3 south, Range 8 west, a 
part of Section 8, 16 acres. 



264 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Frequently there were full votes for some of the more import- 
ant offices, while for the lesser important there would be but few, 
besides the voters were not confined to any particular precinct, 
many times the votes being nearly all cast at Petersburg or some 
of the larger precincts. Frequently the name of a voter will be 
found among the names at one precinct and possibly at the next 
election his name will be found in another precinct. 

At an election in 1833 for school commissioner there v/ere 
only six votes cast at Petersburg, and they were all for James 
Brenton. The voters being John Butler, Thomas Mead, Paul 
Tislow, Thomas Withers, Elijah Malott and Hosea Smith, all of 
whom were on the election board except Butler and Smith. In 
Monroe in 1834 only twenty- one votes were cast at a general 
election. At the house of John Crow on the 6th of August, 1833, 
the following votes were registered: George Shaw, Alex Sever- 
cool, John Coleman, Ben Johnson, Samuel Didman, Philip Cole- 
man, Kobert Ashby, Milt Hudson, Samuel Black, Henry Atkins, 
A. Coan, L. Coleman, Jesse Honchins, Daniel Black, H. Coleman, 
T. Macey, John Crow, Asa Crow, Daniel Ross, James Bates, Con- 
rad LeMasters, Thomas Rice, James Berdett, Emmett Almont, 
Joseph Pancake, John Face and Simeon LeMasters. 

Long before the passage of the fugitive slave law, negroes 
were captured and returned to their masters not as a fulfillment 
of law, but for the reward that was always forthcoming. Not in- 
frequently innocent negroes were abducted from their homes by 
thieves dealing in human flesh. The earliest we have was the 
abduction of "Old Jim." A man named Sawyer living in North 
Carolina, held some land warrants and laid his claims in Pike 
County, west of Petersburg. Sawyer dying, the family moved to 
their claims and they brought "Old Jim" with them. He raised 
a crop for them in 1820, and had just married a woman of color 
who was living with the family of Isaac Montgomery. Suddenly 
"Old Jim" was missing and was never heard of afterward. A 
certain man was supposed to know his fate, but the public never 
learned. So strong was the feeling that " Old Jim's bones " fol- 
lowed that man, that, though he was frequently an aspirant for 
office, he never succeeded in getting one. At a little later date 
Mathias Mount moved with his family and settled on White 
River, and brought with them a little negro girl, "Merit," who 



IIISTOIIV OF PIKK COUNTV. -*^' 



^vas to stay with the faauly until grown and then liavelier free- 
dom AIi-s O.l.orn. n^otlier of Elias Osborn, her sister ano 
Merit- were sent to the field to pick cotton and m addition war. 
„ . 4 -. .i.4u„i,i n..,..,.hpirs. who lived where George H. hiple 



to C! 



u, call at AroUibaUl Ca.npbeirs, who Uvea wh 
now lives, to borrow a Hat-i.-on. The negro g.rl was sent (ron> tl - 
field to Mr. Campbell, while the other girls aw.aiteil her return to 
the field, that they then might return home. '-Merit" never renehed 
Campbells nor was she seen afterward. There was a strong feel - 
iu^ n the county against slavery but not a strong one for nuer- 
Eerin.. with it as it was. On the passage of the fug.trve slave law 
in lloO feelings on this question were greatly mtensined As 
erlv as 1S37 two negroes, one named Sam, were arrested and 
o'uarded in Petersburg, awaiting word to be sent to Kentucky, 
when son,e anti-slavery men slipped them away from their guards 
„„d hid them in Posey Coal Shaft for a time, when they made 
their escape. George Deen, living rrear Winslow; L-™ Wrls» 
near Coafs Springs; Dr. John W. Posey, at Petersburg a Mr. 
Stevenson, in Daviess County, and Benjamm Moore at New- 
berry were considered friends to runaway negroes, whie H. W_ 
Kinian, Josiah Hoggatt, James W. Bass, George H Scort a-d 
Jackson Kinmanwere particularly conspicuous for therr efforts 
against runaways and made themselves very obnoxious to the con- 
servative element In 1833 three runaway negroes were chased 
down and captured near the fair grounds. The excitement over 
the event was intense. The people turned out as if the negroes 
were wihl beasts. The fugitives were taken to Kiiiman Hotel, 
where Mr. King now lives, and tied to await their masters. The 
captors received S300 for their services. A negro from \ incennes 
came to Petersburg and opened a barber shop. A man named 
Turner, froinWashington, with two other men concocted a scheme 
to have "Morris- taken into slavery, A description of him had 
been previously made out and sent to Petersburg. Morris was ar- 
rested and of course answered to the description. Turner swore 
he had eaten at his master's table and knew the negro well. Dr^ 
Adams and Robert LaPlant and others swore to the negro s birth 
and freedom, and he was accordingly released. As a historic 
fact, Morris was the first barber in the county. The rapid changes 
of thirty-one years enabled the negroes to hold religious service_s 
almost on the very spot, where the three were captured m 183o. 



-•»*> IIKSTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Tlif coming on of the war with the changes wrought by it, ended 
111! the struggles over the question of slavery. 

The efforts rjf Pike County for an outlet to the great business 
coiiters ])pgan Avith the "Internal Improvement System " of the 
thirties, the Wabash & Vvie Canal being the branch that affected 
tliis county. The failure of the State to complete the work with- 
(Hit complete bankruptcy, the leasing the same to a syndicate by 
the donation of a vast amount of Congress lands, the failure of 
the company to complete the job honestly, and their efforts to sad- 
dle the debt upon the State, again by persistent lobbying, and the 
final triumph of the State, are matters of history. The next ef- 
fort for outlet was in the old " Straight Line " from Evansville to 
Indianapolis. To this enterprise the citizens donated over $100,- 
000 in money and a vast amount of labor and other assistance, 
but the failure of Willard Carpenter and the Alfords to pay for 
labor and supplies, brought wreck and ruiii to many, particularly 
to the laborers and small farmers along the line. Many never 
recovered from the crash of 1854 and 1855. The next effort that 
seemed likely to succeed was the Air Line, organized and par- 
tially constructed in 1868. The road failed under the first man- 
ngenient, but Avas reorganized under a new management of which 
Stephen Boyle was president. The franchise of the old having 
been bought by the new, and by very liberal aid along the line, 
Patoka and Marion voting a two per cent tax as aid, the road was 
at last completed in 1879. The completion of the Air Line was 
the beginning of a new era of prosperity to the county. The vast 
coal fields of the county are being opened up with their untold 
wealth. Ingleton, Whitman and Ayrshire are sources of great 
wealth to their OAvners, and supply vast quantities of coal to New 
Albany, St. Louis, and other markets, besides the road furnishes 
transportation to market for produce and other commodities. In 
1879 the old Straight Line was revived again under the " Her- 
vey " management. A proposition was made by" Hervey to build 
the road through Washington Township on condition of the town- 
ship voting a two per cent tax — about $18,500 — and private 
donations enough to swell the amount to $40,000. The most of 
the private subscriptions were promptly paid, but on the failure 
to com})lete the road according to contract, or at least the 
spirit of the contract, the two per cent tax was refused. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 267 

Labor and supplies were not paid for by the management, 
something the people justly demanded. Only one install- 
ment of the tax was ever placed on the tax duplicate, and that 
was not collected. However, it is but just to state that Hervey 
completed the road from Washington to Petersburg. Suit has 
been brought against the county commissioners for the tax, and 
the case is now in the supreme court on an appeal. The road was 
thrown into the hands of a receiver, and has since passed into the 
hands of Mackey, who has completed the road to Evansville with- 
out further aid from the county. Thus, after nearly thirty years of 
delay, the Straight Line is a success, and the county is sharing 
the benefits. 

During a portion of the year 1883, and several years previous, 
the people of Stendal and vicinity were annoyed by a band of 
counterfeiters, who were operating, not only throughout Pike 
County, but several counties of the State. They grew so bold 
and defiant that a remedy became necessary. Killing stock, steal- 
ing, and terrorizing the citizens by threats and insults, forcing 
spurious coin upon them, and many other criminal acts, were 
common occurrences. The authorities were informed, and Detect- 
ive Charles Hobbs was sent to Stendal under the guise of a doctor, 
assisted by J. M. Killian. Negotiations were carried on with the 
band for nearly a year, and it was found that the spurious money 
was made in Crawford County, near New Albany. When every- 
thing was deemed ready, the quiet people of Stendal were sur- 
prised when, November 1, 1883, United States Marshal Fos- 
ter, with a heavy force of detectives swooped down upon the 
place, and after a terrific fight, in which Jesse Honchins, Joseph 
Honchins and Detective Killian were wounded, the second dan- 
gerously, succeded in arresting almost the entire gang. Jesse 
and Columbus Honchins were sentenced to seven years in the 
penitentiary by Judge Woods, of the United States Court, Joseph 
Honchins five years, Zimri Kinder three years, and Wesley 
Woods three years. Others received lighter sentences. 

The following was placed on record November 28, 1817: 
This indenture, made and entered into this 28th day of November, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, between Francis 
Cunningham, of the county of Knox, and State of Indiana, of the one part, and 
Ede, a woman of color, of Pike County, of the other part, she being of full age, 
Witnesseth, that the said Ede, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred 



268 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

and eighty dollars, good and lawful money, to her in hand paid by the said Fran- 
cis Cunningham, the receipt whereof is hereby aclcnowledged.andhim, the said 
Francis thereof, forever exonerated and discharged. The said Ede doth hereby 
voluntarily, and of lier own free will and accord, bind herself to serve the said 
Francis, his heirs or assigns, either within or without the State, as an indented 
servant, for and during, the term of thirty years from this date, fully to be com- 
pleted and ended, her said master's secrets keep, his lawful commands gladly do 
and obey, for and during the said term of thirty years, and the said Francis 
Cunningham hereby obligates himself to find the said Ede good sufficient meat, 
drink, clothing, fit and sufBcient for an indented servant, for and during the said 
term of thirty years, and also to pay to the said Ede, at the expiration of said 
thirty years, one good feather bed, bedstead and clothing, and also two good and 
suflBcient suits of clothes. In witness whereof the said Ede and Francis Cun- 
ningham have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year 
first above written. Francis Cunningham. 

Her 

Ede X 

Mark. 
Witness: a free woman of color . 

John McIntike. 

Taken and acknowledged before me, Joseph W. Loan, a justice of the 
peace in and for said county Joseph W. Loan. 

The following ventures were made on the tempestuous sea of 
matrimony in 1817: Ephraim McLean and Jane Blackgrave, 
Hiram Kinny and Hannah Goodwin, David Miley and Nancy 
McManis, James Blackgrave and Peggy Curry, Thomas Mills 
and Roda Lindley, Thomas Stewart and Elizabeth Simington, 
James Poor and Juliet Williams, Job AVeace and Rachael Harbi- 
son, B. Twitty and Rebecca Brittain, Peter Wolf and Mary 
Frederick, Samuel Kinman and Carrie Love Traylor, Thomas A. 
Good and Priscilla Williams, Ebenezer Case and Elizabeth 
McBride, Elijah Malott and Selah Kinman, Alexander McDaniel 
and Rachel Harbison, Joseph W. Loan and Susan Potts, James 
Harris and Juratia McCain. 

Indians and Mound Builders. — What school-boy is there whose 
blood has not been made to thrill while reading the stories of In- 
dian atrocities and Lidian butcheries? He is ready to shoulder 
gun, dress in deer-skin suit, and with his hunting knife, start out 
to avenge the wrongs committed by those red men of the forest. 
Next to the bandit story, the Younger or James brothers, or Buf- 
falo Bill, the Indian story of massacre catches the average boy, 
little thinking that where he now walks to school or plows the 
furrow the Indian walked, and all within the memory of people 
now living. While the school-boy's blood boils to shed the blood of 
an Indian, there is the sentimentalist who grieves over the " noble 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 26l» 

red man" and sheds tears for "Lo! the poor Indian/'' Notwilh 
standing, there is a studied indifference as to the fate of the In- 
dian. The writers experience witli him in his uncivilized state 
is that he is a very uncertain, careless, indolent and untrustwor- 
thy individual, while if brought within the pale of civilization he 
readily develops habits and traits worthy of his white brother. 
The law of development in mind is slow, and a course of training 
extending hundreds of years back into the misty past cannot be 
overcome in a short time. For this reason the spasmodic re- 
former soon gives up the task of making anything out of the In- 
dian and abandons the undertaking in disgust. 

Before the beginning of the eighteenth century the struggle 
between the great rival powers of Europe began for the posses- 
sion of the American continent, and a few years later the struggle 
was confined almost exclusively to the Mississippi Yalley, the 
other points in dispute having been previously settled by the ar- 
bitrament of the sword, or by treaty. The two great rival powers 
for this territory were the French and English. The English 
based their claims to the valley on charters granted by their 
king. These charters almost invariably extended fi-om the At- 
lantic to the Pacific, while the French, with the better right 
based their claims on the discoveries and explorations of the 
Jesuit missionaries. Father Marquette, the bold adventurous La 
Salle and others, together with the French traders. The British 
relied on their superior prowess and tactics, and the French on their 
earlier possession and friendship with the Indians. Many of the 
French went among the Indians, not for trade or barter, but 
burning with a zeal to convert them to the Roman Catholic faith, 
and to make them obedient subjects to the French king. To do 
this they went among them, and dwelt there as brothers, sharing 
their hardships, eating from the same dish, sleeping in the same 
wigwam, and fighting with them in their battles. On the other 
hand the English usually treated the Indian as a savage, and as 
a consequence they had frequent and bloody wars with the In- 
dians, while the French and Indian lived at peace as brothers. 
The result of the French policy toward the Indians, and by forti- 
fying at the mouth of all the larger rivers and their tributaries, 
gave the French possession of nearly all the Mississippi Vt Uey 
up to the middle of the seventeenth century. Then began the 



270 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. ■ 

struggle for supremacy between the French and English. Vin- 
cennes was an important trading post for many years. This was 
founded the year of Washington's birth, 1732. At this place, 
on the 18th day of October, 1775, a company of speculators 
bought of the Piankeshaw Indians a tract of land embracing many 
million acres lying on both sides of the Wabash River. This land 
was bought for a small sum of money and a great many trinkets. 
Although duly signed by eleven chiefs of the tribe, it was never 
recognized by Congress. The first treaty with the Indians aflPect- 
ing this territory was at Yincennes, September 17, 1802, between 
the Miami chief, Little Turtle, and Richardville and agents for the 
Piankeshaw, Wea, Kaskaskia, Kickapoo and Eel River tribes, and 
Winamac and Tofinefic for the Pottawattomies ; a second treaty, 
August 18, 1804, with the Delawares embraces all the south of the 
Indian trace through this county between the Wabash and Ohio 
Rivers. August 27, 1804, the Piankeshaws gave up their claims 
to the same lands. August 21, 1805, at Groveland, near Vin- 
■cennes, the Pottawattomie, Miami, Eel River, Wea and Delaware 
tribes gave up all claim to southeast Indiana. Doubtless the great 
Shawnee warrior, Tecumseh, and his brother, Le-ia-was-i-kaw, or, 
as he afterward was called, Penns-quat-a-wah trod the "trace" 
near Petersburg in their efPorts to unite all southern tribes ih the 
great Miami confederacy of 1810-11, from Florida to the lakes. 

The local tribes in this county were the Wyandots, mainly to 
the east, and the P.ottawattomies, who were the last to leave ; scat- 
tering and roving bands occasionally passing down White Rjver 
many years after the power of the great confederacy was broken. 
They seemed loth to leave their old hunting grounds. West and 
down the river were the Kickapoos. Nothing definite is known 
as to the local history of these tribes, other than that they fre- 
quently camped near some of the various springs of the county, 
and the bones of many of their dead have been found since their 
departure. 

Mounds. — These monuments of a peculiarly remarkable peo- 
ple are very numerous in the county, extending as they do from 
the east to the western part of the county. They extend from 
Jefferson along the river through Washington, Madison, Clay 
and Logan Townships. They are always found either in the 
river bottom or along the edge of hills that skirt the bottom. 



lilSTollV OF IMKE COUNTV. 271 

riicy range in lieiij^iit from a lev/ feet to seemingly thirty or forty- 
feet, yet the exact height of the very high ones woukl be very dif- 
ticult to tell without extensive research, as will be explained 
further on. The object of the mounds, as well as the peculiar- 
ities and aims of their builders, will doubtless ever remain 
enshrouded in mystery. Whether this prehistoric people belonged 
to the Asiatics, the Egyptians, or were a part of the " lost tribes," 
or were distinct from any other, and were a preadamic race 
ethnology nor any other science gives little light; darkness 
and obscurity seems to encompass and enshroud them. The 
archaeologist is often enabled to reveal many of the minute 
peculiarities of this people, and afterward have his knowledge 
verified by further discoveries. One thing is certain. The habits 
of the Mound Builders differ greatly from any characteristics of 
the North American Indian. They seem to have been more 
peaceful than warlike. It has been argued that the Mound Build- 
ers were a peaceful people living by agricultural pursuits or by 
fishing, and that they made war only for defense rather than as 
aggressors, and that their works, which were of a warlike charac- 
ter, were intended as places of retreat. Of the various kinds of 
work left by that peculiar people called Mound Builders, some 
seemed to be for watch towers or places of observation, doubtless 
as a warning against the approach of aggressive neighbors, some 
as places of sacrifices, and it is worthy of remark that they were 
doubtless sun worshipers or some rude form of nature, but not 
a gross or sensual character, some as burying grounds, as is 
shown by the numerous human remains, and other sepulchral 
evidences that abound in many mounds, some as fortifications as i? 
the case of the one at Fort Ancient in Ohio, which bears evidence 
of nice mathematical calculation, the white structure being a 
huge fort having a stone basement, a huge wall of earth on top; 
another frequently seen by the writer lies just across the Wabash 
Eiver, about three miles below Gigville, 111. This is a rectangu- 
lar earth-work enclosing about six acres of land, yet all bearing 
evidence of intelligent design. The mounds of this county 
belong to the same class as those extending from Pittsburgh, 
Penn., to the plateau of the Rocky Mountains. The size of some 
of the mounds and their number in this county indicate an exten- 
sive population, when we consider the means these primitive peo- 



272 HlSTOl'.V i)F I'iKF, r(»LNT\. 

[)le had of trunsporting earth and the vast si/c of the mounds. 
The hirgest and most clearly marked of tlu'se mound-; li(»s on the 
farm of George H. Siple, about tAvo mih^s west of Petersburg. 
This mound has been built out from the higli.M i^roands, and 
rr>sei]i])los a huge causeway or mole, where it eonii cts the mound 
|)i()|)<'r with the high lands behind it, and t^rminati's so abruptly 
as to he inaccessible except to footmen, on all sidi^s except the 
one joining the mound to the high ground behind it. Being 
joined as it is to the high lands back of it renders the matt(U' 
diiiicult to tell how much of it is of artificial formation. On 
three sides of the mound at least, it is rounded and about as 
steep as loose earth could be made to stand and has l>een clothed 
in huge forest trees. 

The mound in Clay Township of large size is of similar struct- 
ure and appearance to the one above described. The majority, 
however, are only from three to six feet high, and all the small 
ones of similar structure. These mounds seem to have been for 
burial or sacrificial purposes, yet the one above described, having 
the mole extending back to a large spring, might indicate a camp 
of defense. The relics that have been found in these consist of 
stone hatchets, arrow heads, both very numerous, occasionally 
copper beads and other works, pipes, and numerous human re- 
mains. Mr. Mount once found near the river bank a human skull 
washed from one of these mounds by the river encroaching upon 
it. John Stuckey, Mr. Oborn and a few others, whose names are 
forgotten, were digging a grave on top of a mound near Siple' s, 
and reaching the depth of about three feet came upon the re- 
mains of three persons. The first was a huge being, the lower 
maxillary being large enough to pass over that of a living per- 
son, flesh and all. Mr. Stuckey further says that the femur bone 
was several inches longer than that of an ordinary man. Unfor- 
tunately these remains have been neglected and lost. Of the re- 
mains of the other two, one seemed to have been a woman, the 
other a child. The skeleton of the woman was reclining between 
the legs of the huge man, and the child between those of the 
woman. Other skeletons have been found usually with a stone 
resting under the head and one on the heart. Unfortunately no 
extensive, scientific examination has ever been made into these 
mounds. Doubtless they would richly repay the arcluBologist for 
his pains. 



I 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 273 



CHAPTER HI. 

by w. s. wheatley. 

Organization of the County— Important Proceedings of the Com- 
missioners—New Townships— PcBLic Buildings— County Offi- 
cers— Finances— Population— The Paupers— Agricultural .So- 
cieties—Elections—General Matters of Interest. 

AFTER the organization of Indiana as a State in 1810, the 
rapid increase in population made necessary the formation 
of new counties. Previous to 1817 the territory now comprising 
the county of Pike was inchided in Gibson Covinty, but by the act 
for its formation, approved December 21, 1816, Pike County was 
made to inchide a much larger area than it now does. The fol. 
lowing is the act as far as it relates to the organization of the 
county : 

An act for the formation of a new cou>-ty out of the counties op Knox, 

Perry and Gibson. 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of tJie State of Indiana, That from 
and after the 1st daj^ of February next all that part of the counties of Knox, 
Perry and Gibson included in the following boundaries, shall form and consti- 
tute a new county; that is to say, be^s^inning at a point on White River where 
the line dividing Sections 9 and 10 in Range 9, Township 1 north of Bucking- 
ham's base line strikes the same; thence south with said line to tlie township 
line dividing Townships 3 and 4 south, thence east with said township line until 
it strikes the range line dividing Ranges 3 and 8 w^est; thence north with said 
range line until it strikes the line dividing the counties of Orange and Gibson; 
thence with said line until it strikes Lick Creek; thence down said creek to 
White River; thence down said river with the meauderings thereof, to the place 
of beginning. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That the said county shall, from and after 
the 1st day of February next, be known and designated by the name of the 
county of Pike, and it shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and jurisdictions 
which, to a separate county, do. or may properly appertain or belong: 

Provided always. That all suits, pleas, plaints, actions and proceedings which 
may before the said 1st day of March next, have been commenced, instituted and 
pending within the counties of Knox, Perry and Gibson, shall be prosecuted to 
final judgment and effect in the same manner as if this act liad not passed. 

Provided also. That the territorial and county taxes which are now due 
within the bounds of said new count3^ shall be collected and paid in the same 
manner, and by the same officers, as they would have been if the erection of said 
new county had not taken place. 



274 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Sec. 3. Be , it furtJier enacted. That G. R. C. Sullivan, Benjamin V. 
Beckes and Ephraim Jordan, of Knox County, William Hargrove, of Gibson 
County, and Geome Boone, of Harrison County, be, and they are hereby 
appointed commissioners to designate the place for the seat of justice of Pike 
County, agreeably to an act for fixing the seats of justice in all new counties 
hereafter to be laid off. The commissioners above named or others appointed 
by proper authorit3^ shall convene at the house of Hosea Smitli, in the town of 
Alexandria, on the 3d day of February next, and then and there proceed to 
discharge the duties assigned them by law. 

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the board of commissioners of said 
new county, shall, within twelve months after the permanent seat of justice 
shall be established, proceed to erect the necessary public buildings thereon. 

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That until suitable accommodations can be 
had in the opinion of the Circuit Court at the seat of justice of said new county, 
all the courts of justice of the same shall be held at the house of said Hosea 
Smith, in the town of Alexandria. And as soon as the court shall be informed 
that the public buildings are in such a state of forwardrfps as to accommodate 
the court, the said court shall adjourn to the county seat, and after that time 
the Circuit Court, and all other courts necessary to be held at the county seat 
of the county aforesaid, shall be held at the county seat established for said 
county. 

Sec. 6 relates to a county library; Section 7, to senators and 
representatives ; Section 8, to the attachment of a part of Gibson 
County to Warwick County. 

By examination of a map, it will be seen that Pike County at 
that time included all of its present territory except a part of Clay 
Township, and in addition took in all of what is now Columbia 
Township and a large part of Barton Township, Gibson County, 
a small part of Warrick and Perry Counties, all of Dubois County 
and that part of Martin County south of Lick Creek. By acts of 
the legislature in regard to the formation of Dubois County 
passed during the session of 1817-18,the present eastern boundary 
of Pike County was established, and the General Assembly o'f 
1823-24 fixed the present limits on the west. 

Ads of the County Board. — At an election held in February, 
1817, Paul Tislow, James Campbell and Harrison Blackgrove were 
elected county commissioners and on the following Monday they 
met at the house of Hosea Smith. Their first work was to divide 
the county into townships, which was done as follows: All 
of the county west of the second section line east of the line 
dividing Eanges 8 and 9 constituted Madison Township; Wash- 
ington Township included all of the territory between the east 
line of Madison and the second section line east of the line dividing 
Kanges 7 and 8 ; Jefferson Township embraced all the remainder 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 27o 

of what is now Pike County, with two additional rows of sectiotis 
of the south, and Harbison Township inchided all of what is now 
Dubois County, and a small additional area now belonging 
to the counties of Perry and Martin. Officers were ap- 
pionted for each of the townships, and an election of jus- 
tices was ordered to take place February 25. Washington was 
allowed two, Madison two, Jefferson one, and Harbison three. 
At the next meeting of the board, which was held in March, John 
Johnson was appointed agent of the county. He gave bond in 
the sum of $5,000 with Thomas J. Withers as surety. In May, 
David Kinman, William Crayton and Robert Brenton were ap- 
pointed to view a road from Petersburg to Phillip's Mill, and 
from this time forth roads were speedily laid out in all parts of 
the county. 

At the same meeting William Wright, Campbell and Loan, 
John Butler, Benjamin Rice and Thomas Case were licensed to 
keep taverns. A pound fifty feet square was ordered to be erect- 
ed on the public square and Thomas Case was appointed keeper. 
In August the first levy of taxes was made. The rates were for 
first-rate land 50 cents per 100 acres; for second-rate land 43| 
cents per 100 acres, and for third-rate land 25 cents per 100 
acres, Hosea Smith was allowed $16 for the use of his house 
as a court house. G. R. C. Sullivan received $100 for his serv- 
ices as prosecuting attorney for the year. This gentleman seems 
to have been an adept at securing full pay for his services. He 
was allowed more than all the other officers of the county com- 
bined for the first two or three years, and even then managed in 
some way to overdraw his salary. In May, 1819, contractors 
were appointed for building bridges over Pride's, Congress and 
Muddy Creeks. The law of 1824 transferred the transaction of 
public business to a board composed of all the justices in the 
county. Thomas Mead was president of the first board. In 
September, 1827, it was decided to offer a premium for wolf 
scalps. Fifty cents were paid for the scalps of wolves under six 
months old and $1 for those above that age. Duriiig the next 
four or five years over $50 was paid out for this purpose. The 
rates of taxation for 1830 were fixed as follows: Each horse 37^ 
cents; work oxen, 18f cents; carriages, $1.50; brass clocks, $1; 
gold watches, $1 ; pinchbeck and silver watches, 50 cents ; first. 



276 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

second and third-rate lands, $1, 80 cents and 60 cents, respective- 
ly, for each 100 acres. Each town lot 75 cents on the $100 val- 
uation. License to retail liquor $10; license to vend merchan- 
dise, $15. From the above it is seen that a brass clock was a some- 
what expensive luxury, and it cost more to sell merchandise than 
whisky. In 1831 Elijah Hammond was appointed commissioner 
of the three per cent fund, and continued to hold the office as 
it existed. This fund was used in building bridges and the im- 
provement of roads. At the September term of the county board 
in 1832, $213 was appropriated toward building a bridge across 
the Patoka, provided that enough could be raised by subscription 
to complete it. No evidence is obtained that any subscriptions 
were made and the bridge was not built. 

Neiv Townships. — In February, 1820, all of that part of the 
county south of a line running due east and west across the coun- 
ty, three miles south of the base line, was cut off and called 
Monroe Township. Previous to this Harbison Township had 
been taken off to form Dubois County. In November of the 
same year a new township called Adams was formed to include 
all of Monroe south of the Patoka and west of the South Fork of 
Patoka. The greater part of this territory was soon after an- 
nexed to Gibson County. Previous to 1824, the territory now 
included in Clay Township except the eastern row of sections 
which were added in 1825, belonged to Gibson County. In that 
year it was annexed to Pike County and organized as a separate 
township. In September, 1838, Patoka Township, comprising 
its present area and what was afterward formed into Marion 
Township was organized. The others organized were Logan in 
1846, Lockhart in 1852, and Marion in 1857. 

Collectors and Commissioners. — May, 1840, Meredith Howard 
was appointed collector for the county. Those who had preceded 
him in that office were Elias Osborne, 1832; George Chambers, 
1833, and Charles Alexander, 1839. The commissioners of sur- 
plus revenue appointed were Thomas C. Stewart, 1837 ; George 
Chambers, 1840, and James Hillman, 1841. The trustees of 
county seminaries were Z. F. Selby, 1834; Charles Alexander, 
1835; James E. Withers, 1837; Malachi Merrick, 1838; Samuel 
Stucky, 1841, and John S. Stucky, 1843. School commissioners, 
Jauaes Brenton, Peter* Brenton, 1836; Hiram W. Kinman, 1837; 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 277 

E. B. Boon, 1843; George H. Proffit, 1846; Alexander Leslie, 
1848. Boon resigned in 1845, and a committee was appointed to 
examine h/s accounts They reported a defalcation to the amount 
o£ $352.68, and the county board ordered suit to be begun on hib 
bond 

Court Houses and Jails. — One of the first acts of the county 
commissioners was to order the letting of a contract for building 
a court house. The contract was obtained by Thomas C. Stewart, 
who agreed to have the work completed by November, 1817. 
The building, however, was not received by the county board until 
the. following February. It was erected on Lot 107, on the east 
side of the public square. It was built of hewed logs, and was 
32x24 feet, two stories high. The cost was $599.75. At about 
the same time a contract for building a log jail was awarded to 
Peter Brenton, who received |1,340. The building was twenty 
feet square, two stories high, with double walls, one foot apart, 
the space between being filled with upright timbers. The cells 
were in the lower part, and the only entrance to them was a trap 
door in the floor of the upper story. In May, 1819, the county 
board' authorized James Campbell, Henry Brenton, Sr., and John 
Johnson, to contract for the building of a brick court house as 
soon as $500 was subscribed for that purpose by the citizens of 
the county. The amount was not subscribed. By 1830 the old 
building had become unfit for use, and court was held at the 
house of Mrs. Elizabeth Finn. In September of that year Matthew 
Foster, Peter Brenton and Samuel Stocky were appointed to draft 
a plan and let the contract for building a court house. The con- 
tract for the masonry was given to George H. Profl&t and Charles 

F. White. John Butler and Henry B. Merrick were appointed a 
committee to oversee the construction. The building was to be 
thirty-six feet square, built of brick with stone foundation. Prof- 
fit had his contract completed by 1835, but Butler, who received 
the contract for the remainder of the work, did not have it finished in 
May, 1836, and the county board was compelled to purchase mate- 
rial, and hire workpien to complete it. This building was erected 
on the public square, and the old lot was sold. In March, 1837, 
Elias Osborne received the contract for rebuilding the jail. The 
plan was about the same as before, and all the sound logs of the 
old building were used. 



278 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

In 1838 a one-storied brick clerk's office, 36x18 feet, was built 
on the public square at a cost of $724, and in 1852 a similar 
building was erected for the accommodation of the auditor and 
treasurer. 

In March, 1864, Willitira H. De Wolf was appointed to confer 
with a competent architect in regard to plans for a new court 
house. Nothing more was done until June, 1865, when it 
was decided by the county board to build a brick court house, 
large enough to contain all county offices, and accommodate courts 
and juries. It was not, however, until August of the next year 
that the contract was let. William and R. P. Hawthorn agreed 
to erect the building, according to the plans and specifications, 
for 123,280. In July, 1866, a tax of 10 cents on the $100 was 
levied to constitute a fund for the payment of county bonds, which 
up to 1870 had been issued to the amount of $26,214, The court 
house was completed in October, 1868, and was received by the 
county board. Many changes had been made in the original plans, 
which had increased the cost. The contractors received $8,521.62 
for extras, making the entire amount expended, including archi- 
tects' and superintendents' fees, $33,264.89. 

In 1853 Albert Smith and Goodlet Morgan took the contract 
for the erection of a jail to be 40x20 feet, built of brick on a stone 
foundation. The price agreed upon was $2,347.25. In 1885 this 
building was repaired at considerable cost, and an addition 24x21 
feet added. 

Later Acts of the County Board. — In December, 1863, a 
somewhat remarkable order was issued to the county auditor, 
J. P. Glezen. It authorized him to procure fixtures for the 
windows and a lock for the door of the court house for the pur- 
pose of keeping the gamblers out. It further stated that should 
they take possession of the building, he was entrusted with the 
power as agent of the board to disposses them. We leave our 
readers to draw their own inferences. 

July 10, 1855, after the passage of the prohibitory liquor law, 
the auditor called a special meeting of the board to appoint an 
agent to sell liquors, as was required by that law. They met, but 
refused to appoint on the ground that the auditor had no right to 
convene them. He thought otherwise, and sent the sheriff to 
summons them to meet on July 21, which they accordingly did, 
but again, refused to appoint. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 



279 



In March, 1840. a resolution was adopted to appropriate a 
sum not to exceed $250 to build a bridge across the Patoka on 
the Evansville road, provided the commissioners of Gibson County 
would pay one-half. This proposition was accepted by that board 
in 1848 and the bridge was built. In 18ol the bridge was found 
to be too low, and it was raised to permit flat-boats to pass under. 
In ISfiO, S530.95 was paid as Pike County's share of the expense 
in building a bridge across the Patoka at Dongola. In Decem- 
ber, 1804, George W. Massey was allowed $49o toward building 
a bridge across the same stream near his residence. S500 reward 
was offered in December, 1803, for the arrest of the parties who 
broke into the county safe. In June, 1870, George W. Massey 
was authorized to employ one or more competent persons to in- 
yestigate the books of the treasurer and auditor for the fiscal 
years 1805-70 inclusive. He employed W, T. Stillwell and 
Charles H. De Bruler, who after a careful examination reported 
that McC. Gray, treasurer, appointed in 1800, was indebted to 
the county 8040,77. and that the accounts of his successor, E. M. 
Case, showed a defalcation of 84,280.50. They also stated that 
in neither case was there evidence of intentional fraud, but the 
defalcations were simply the result of negligence and incompe- 
tency. Both Gray and Case made good their defalcations. 

July 12, 1877, George Whitman, treasurer of the county, was 
removed from office, and Jefferson W. Eichardson was appointed 
to fill the vacancy. Investigation of "Whitman's accounts showed 
him a defaulter to the amount of $27,435.30. He absconded and 
his property was turned over to his bondsmen. After it had all 
been disj)osed of the latter had a large deficit to make good. 

In June, 1883, another investigation of the treasurer's books 
was ordered. Frederick W. Bennett, of Evansville, and A. J. 
Montgomery, of Princeton, Ind., were employed as experts to 
examine the accounts from August, 1877, to November, 1880. 
They reported that the duties of the office had been very care- 
lessly performed, and that the books were in bad condition. At 
the December settlement, in 1877, there was an error of $902.89 
against Eichardson, and the next year a similar error of $050.84, 
but that from the June settlement of 1878 there was a balance of 
$2,989.70 still due the county, and from the next year an addi- 
tional amount of $7,253.35. Other errors were found in the ac- 



280 HISTORY OP PIKE COUNTY. 

count of 1880, and the total defalcation was found to be $9,725.23. 
After considerable litigation a compromise was made, by ^hich 
Richardson turned over to the county, real estate and notes to the 
value of $5,002.80, and the suits against him were withdrawn. 
In 1877 a new iron bri Ige was built across the Patoka, at Don- 
gola, the cost of which to this county was $1,423.42. At a joint 
meeting of the commissioners of Gibson and Pike Counties, Sep- 
tember 20, 1881, $7,000 was appropriated to build a bridge over 
the stream at the county line. Of that sum Pike County was to 
pay one-fourth. The bridge was completed in 1884. 

The County Finances. — The most prolific source of revenue 
to the county for the first three or four years was the sale of town 
lots. This was a valuable assistance. Public buildings had to 
be erected, and the other means of raising revenue were very 
limited. The following is a statement of the receipts and ex- 
penditures for 1817: 

RECEIPTS. 

Tavern license $ 38 00 

Ferry license. 6 00 

Store license 23 35 

Fines assessed by the circuit court 13 00 

Fines assessed by justices 30 50 

County revenue 161 48 

Sale of lots in Petersburg 983 62 

Total $1,352 85 

EXPENDITURES. 

Treasurer's percentage I 62 00 

SheriJS's percentage 9 69 

County library 98 36 

Count}' commissioners 74 00 

Associate judges 30 00 

Orders redeemed 648 56 

Total $913 51 

The next year Willis C. Osborne refused to make a report, 
and an investigation of his accounts showed him indebted to the 
county to the amount of $13. During the year, $2,095.25 was 
received from the sale of town lots, and $292.98 from the county 
revenue. The expenditures amounted to $1,150.40, At the end 
of the year 1819, the county was in debt $90.75. The county 
revenue for that year amounted to $234.07, store license, $22.50, 
tavern license $30. For 1821 the expenditures were $335.50 and 
the receipts $495.39. In 1830 the receipts were merchant's license 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. ^81 

$62.50, grocer's license $27,50, show license $14.50, county rev- 
enue $574.75; the expenditures amounted to $471.60; the indebt- 
edness of the county, January 1, 1831, was estimated by the 
treasurer to be $760.75. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 1850, 
the receipts were $3,560.84 and the expenditures $2,913.46. The 
county revenue amounted to $1,379.76, and county officers cost $56L- 
62. At the beginning of the fiscal year ending May 31, 1860, there 
was a balance in the treasury of $3,757.02. There was received 
during the year for lands redeemed $64.45, ferry license $5, circus 
and show license $45, merchant's license $5, county revenue 
$5,881.79. Total receipts $9,758.26. The total disbursements 
amounted to $6,527.15 of which $1,033.04 was for county officers, 
$566.27 on acount of the poor, and $2,239.86 for roads and high- 
ways. 

The receipts for the year 1869-70 including the amount on 
hand at the beginning of the year, were $41,940.65, of this sum 
the county revenue was $26,164.41, and bonds sold $8,800. The 
disbursements for the year amounted to $28,532.55. The total 
indebtedness of the county, June 1, 1870, was $32,096.59. The 
county revenue for 1879-80 amounted to $26,669.72; bonds to the 
amount of $10,000, were sold, and the total receipts were $40,- 
139.53. The expenditures including $8,931.54 overpaid by the 
treasurer the previous year, were $36,976.33, bonds to the amount 
of $2,000, were redeemed and county officers cost $4,887.40. The 
following is a statement of the receipts and expenditures for the 
fiscal year 1885. 

RECEIPTS. 

Amount in the treasury June 1, 1884 $ 5-998 07 

Ferry license 

Road damages ^ ^ 



Sale of school land. 



4 



County bonds 36,000 00 

Show licenses ^^ ^^ 

Bailiff and juror's fees 11 ^^ 

oft 

Bridge expense °" 

School fund interest 1^9 30 

Appropriation for Louisville Exposition, balance 

unused "^3 ^ 

County asylum J5 30 

Bond tax 1' 915 33 

^P^oi^Undge JOOJ 

Chaugeof venue '*^'' "" 

County revenue 21,788 IQ 

Total receipts 66,342 74 



282 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

EXPENDITURES, 

Scalps $ 456 50 

County asylum 3,214 64 

Insane 1,668 33 

Roads 573 30 

Bridges 5,907 32 

Jurors 1,360 92 

Poor 3,286 18 

Assessing revenue 1,603 20 

Prisoners 1,24100 

Inquests 181 15 

Special allowances 541 30 

Printing and stationary 2,364 66 

Bailiffs 717 79 

County officers 6,196 14 

Public buildings 526 35 

County superintendent 2,411 91 

Equalization 53 80 

Justices of the peace 33 65 

Change of venue 134 25 

Board of health 77 85 

Investigation 659 00 

Courts 108 45 

County attorney 200 10 

County institute 50 00 

Fuel 14100 

House of refuge and blind 123 25 

Appropriation to Louisville Exposition 100 00 

County bonds returned to the auditor 19,500 00 

Total $53,442.04 

Balance in the Treasury June 1, 1885 $12,900.70 

The indebtedness of the county at the present time may be 
stated in round numbers at $50,000. The greater part of this 
is in bonds drawing 5 and 6 per cent interest. 

POPULATION OF PIKE COUNTY. 

1840 ■ 4,769 

1850 7,720 

1860 10,064 

1870 13,779 

1880 16,384 

1885 (estimated) 17, 500 

The County Paupers. — Pike county from its organization has 
cared well for its poor. Among the first township officers 
appointed were overseers of the poor, whose duty it was to look 
after those persons incapable of supporting themselves. They 
reported the expenses to the county commissioners, who issued 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY, 283 

orders on the county treasurer for the amount. The permanent 
paupers were farmed out to the lowest responsible bidders. 
The first incideni or this kind was the farming of Grreenbury 
Bird to Hugh Shaw for one year at $29, in 1827. Bird continued 
to be cared for by the county for many years. This system was 
continued until 1850, when the county board purchased eighty 
acres of land of James Mount for $(300. This was fitted up for 
a poor farm, and Andrew J. Barker was appointed to superintend 
it. He paid the county $20 as rent for the farm, and received 
$1.75 per week each for keeping the paupers, This method of 
keeping poor was found more expensive than the old one, and the 
farm was sold in 1851 to Hezekiah Cox for $800. The paupers 
were again farmed out until 186G, when the present poor farm was 
purchased from E. W. Gray for $1,098.59. Soon after an 
asylum, 60x38 feet, two stories high, was built, and William M. 
Anderson appointed superintendent for two years from March, 
1807. Dr. J. R. Adams was appointed physician in 1868. The 
number of inmates was then eight. The next year E. W. Gray 
was appointed superintendent. He received $1.45 per week for 
each pauper, and had the use of the farm. John Fettinger was 
appointed superintendent in 1872. He was succeeded the next 
year by Charles S. Fettinger. He paid rent for the land, and 
received $3 per week for each pauper. He was followed by Will- 
iam C. Richardson in 1871. In 1882 it was decided to pay the 
superintendent a salary, the county bearing all the expenses, and 
receiving all the proceeds of the farm. John J. Fleener was 
appointed at a salary of $600. The next year Isaac L. Fordyce 
succeeded him at a salary of $290. March 21, 1885, the asylum 
was entirely destroyed by fire. Two frame buildings, 32x36 feet, 
each containing five rooms, have since been erected. 

Agriculfurdl Societies. — The first attempt to organize an agri- 
cultural society in Pike County was in 1836, when a meeting 
was held for that purpose at the court house. Nothing was 
accomplished in that direction, and no further efforts were made 
until 1857, when a temporary organization was effected. A fair 
was held near what was known as Stuckey^s Pond, October 23 
of that year. It was a very primitive affair. A space of about 
one-fourth of an acre was enclosed with a rope, and the articles 
exhibited were placed upon rude stands, or hung upon ropes 



2M IIIST^»i:Y OF PIKE o»r\TV. 

Sitrp'tcSBt^l fn»!iM tret* t«» tiv»c. Xi» >t,K-k fXfu'pt Imrsj^s wi^re n|i">ii 
exlii1»iti«i»H- and tli««s»' wfn* ti«-«l untsiiK- «»f tin- iiii-i«»!sunp'. Tin* fair 
was «-«»Hliiii«i»^l Imt •mo «lay. aiul tin* a iiitis-^ion prii-*- was l«» rents. 
An a(iMn»si> was nHiverenI h\ J<»s<*jili I*. iJJ.-yji'n. \'«» !»th« r f;iir 
wsis !ii«"l«l nsitil ths- jiresiMit a;;;ru"»i3hin(il s«».-ia"tv w.is f«»rtiii;':l. tsu- 
{'«)t]«nviii«>^ hist«»ry (»f which Ls bikoii luaiiiK fntiii an artit-lo j>ul>- 
lisheil in the Ihiihj /^rr^'t »%f Si'|»ti»iulH»r Id*. |vn^ In tho wiitttr 
of iHTii the qiiestitiu of or^^aiiiziii;^ an sujrifultural s«»<-ietv w:is 
aj^tate*! aii«l meetiii^s were h«'l«l f«»r tiu- |»iir|Nts(". A iinjulier of 
girouiineut citiz»*iis tiM>k an m-tii'e iiiti*r«"st in thes - ina>^4i!i_ijs, the 
reiiviilt of which was the «>r;!ffiijbKiti«»ii «»f the l*ik«» (':»!int_v .\i^rical- 
tnral Hoeietvin I'^TL Anif.»ui;^ the priniic lu.mers in the eutei jirise 
were Lueinnel Haijjmve. A»ron H. <ire«»r«jfe. l^jiitrij k McNahli. \V. 
Ll Merriek. W. H. Kelsi>. Isaaj- U. I^^'tL 31;itthew McMurray, H. 
C. BrventoiL Con auil Himiu A«Iaius. Orlaiislo 8!]>le. an«l niauy 
others. A ineetiu^ was held at Atf«»n1 t«» select a |»hiee ti> hokl 
the fairs, ami t«» elect the pntjUT ofli«"ers. Alfoni, Petersburg, and 
near the farm of John O. M. iSeliiy w<?re meutioue«l as suitable 
places to h<()I«l the fciirs, bat Petersbui^ was finally selected as 
the place, ami fifteen acres of laml (the jMnesent location ) were 
leased by GomUet Morgan for ten years at $150 j>er year. The 
society was oi«ranize:l with a capital stock of S3.([MM> and the 
following officers and directors were elected: President, Patrick 
McSTabb; vice-president, Ashael Whiiman; secretary,, Aaron H. 
"jeorge; treasure', Matthew McMurray; superintendent, W. L. 
Merrick; directory Orland Siple, H. C. Brenton, A. J. Patter- 
son, John J. Meener, Joshna Wilson, Isaac Bu LiBtt Washingti>u, 
Temple WooLsey, W. H. Kelso, W.H. GladiBh, John Le Masters 
and B. W. Anderson. The first &ir was held September 12, 13, 
14 and 15, IHlt. The receipts for fickdlB, esntry fees, etc., were 
Sl,32!li.75. The next year the receipts from the same source were 
$2,l-'>±5lli. and tlie amount paid for {^emiums $1,14^50. In 
IHIS the receipts were 3L93L43. The grounds, twenty-eight 
and one-half acres were purchased December 11, 1875 far $100 
per acre and an assessment of thirty per cent levied on the stock 
to make the first payment The track was originally cmlj <Mte- 
third of a mile but in 1870 was enlarged to half a mile. The 
grounds are beautifully located, and are kept in excellent condi- 
tion. The society has never failed to pay all premiums, and 



mSTOKT OF FKE OOUliTT. 



285 



otbesr expenses in fnlL In 18B4 a diTidend of fifteen per cent was 
paid on tiie stock and ihe sodetj is free from debt except $L,200 
which was spent in bnilding an amphitheater during the preseBt; 
year. The capital stock at present is $3,887.50 and is divided 
among about one hnndred stockholders. The following is a list 
of the receipts, disbarsements and preminms paid since 1873. 

1874. 1880. 

Beceipts $2,443 45 

2.1^ (» 



1875. 



'Recapts.. 



978 00 



2.912 82 



187Bl 



Beonpts.. 



Ftei 



una 



18S9. 



t,ieo6» 

4.18138 
1,430 60 

3,^SS7 
3,^4 85 
1,4m "SS 

3.340 73 
313S73 
1,56 53 

%710 70 



. 3wll^<5 

Premhnns 1.8^05 

1881. 

Beceipts 2.^0 85 

2,800 07 
1.1^50 

. 4.183 13 

. 3.767 70 
. 1.453 S5 

. 4,3tg73 
. 4.196 70 
. 1,76 50 

3L918 36 
. 3319 27 

uaoam 



1883u 



1884. 



Beceipts. 



Beeeqits. indiidiiiglMnovrd 



5.068 01 
4.399 85 
1.775 OO 



1.4«g90 

Present Qflicers— President, Samuel Hsogiove; Tiee-presi- 
dent, William A. Oliphant; secretary, Goodlet Morgan; tzeasurer, 
'K P. Bichardson; superintendent, Samuel H. Stnckey. 

Directors — ^Patrick MeNabb, A. G. Billmeyer, Willard Moa-- 
risMi, Isaac R I«tt^ R Handl, St., J. W. Wilson, Henry C. 
Brenton. 

Tke Comdy Library. — It was pwjvided by legislaliTe enact- 
ment that ten per centum <^ the proceeds d ihe sale of town lots 
should be used far the purchase and maintenance of a county 
library. This sum amounted to $98.26 the first year; and in 
November, 18!^ the county treasurra* was codered to turn o^iner 
Ihe fund, amounting at that time to $33L50, to the treasurer of 
the county library. With this fund was purchased a compara^ 



286 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

tively large library. Trustees, a treasurer, and librarian, were 
the officers. The trustees in 1827, were Elijah Hammond, Archi- 
bald Campbell, John Johnson, James Lownsdale, Robert Crow, 
Griffith Evans and James Kinman. At that time the library was 
of great value to the {)eople of the county. 

Another system for the diffusion of general information was 
that of the township libraries furnished by the State early in the 
fifties. Each library comprised about 300 volumes of the best 
works in all departments of literature, and were distributed to the 
counties according to population. The number allotted to Pike 
County was eight, distributed by the county board as follows: 
one each to Washington, Jefferson, Patoka and Logan Townships ; 
one to Madison and Clay; and one to Monroe and Lockhart. The 
books were widely read, and were a valuable source of education 
for many years. 

Quite early in the fifties, a benevolent gentleman of southern 
Indiana, named William McClure, dying, bequeathed a large for- 
tune to the founding of "Workingmen's Institutes," in sums of 
1500 each, to be expended in books for the use only of "men who 
earned their bread by the sweat of their brows." Institutes were 
formed at Petersburg and in Clay Township. Many books, all 
of the best character, were bought, and a vast amount of good 
was the result. The library at Union, in Clay Township, has 
been preserved, and new books added from time to time by pri- 
vate subscriptions, an addition of |100 worth being under con- 
templation at the present time. 

Sheriffs. — Adam Hope, February, 1817 ; John Johnson, August, 
1817; Thomas C. Stewart, 1820; James Kinman, 1822; Joseph 
C. Morgan, 1826; David Miley, 1830; Fielding Johnson, 1833; 
Charles Alexander, 1836; Meredith Howard, 1840; M. L. Withers 
and James C. Graham received the same number of votes each in 
1844. The latter became sheriff. David Miley, 1848 ; Marquis 
L. Withers, 1850; F. M. Whight, 1854; H. Gladish, 1858; Jon- 
athan Wilson, 1861; H. Gladish, 1863; John Crow, 1865; J. W. 
Humphrey, 1870; John Crow, 1872; William C. Miller, 1874; 
Barron Brenton, 1876; Thomas J. Scales, 1878; John Crow, 1882, 
^nd W. J. Shrode, 1884. 

Coro/iers.— Archibald Campbell, 1817; Peter Tislow, 1819; 
Eobert Brenton, 1821; Daniel Coonrod, 1823; Isaac Knight, 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 287 

1^ - T)aiiipl L'oourod, 1828; Jeremiah Woolfeii, 1833; Meredith 
H(.\s:.r.l 18;^; Thomas Martin, 184-0; Jeremiah Woolfen, 1844; 
Nel'irjiiah Ogden, 1845; Jeremiah Woolfen, 1847; John G. Sny- 
der, !-•._': -Joseph Stubblefield, I8r34; Eobert Edwards, 1856; 
Henry I'-.ne, 1857: Samuel Fettinger, 1858; John Tislow, 1861; 
George W. De Tar, 1862; Henry Pope, 1863; T. C. Withers, 
1864; James Hilborn, 1865; Eobert M. Stewart, 1867; Louis 
Hisgen, 1868; Joseph Lory, 1873; Mr. Bethell, 1876; Wilson 
Stobaugh, 1878; William H. Thomas, 1880, and Pembroke S. 
AVithers, 1882. 

Treasurers. — Thomas Case, 1817; Willis C. Osborne, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1818; James Kinman, August, 1818; Thomas J. With- 
ers, 1819; John Finn, 1822; David Miley, 1823; Franklin F. 
Sawyer 1830; Albert Hammond (vice Sawyer resigned), March, 
1838; John W. Posey, 1842; Alexander Leslie, 1847; Jonathan 
Wilson, 1852; James Crow, 1857; McCrillus Gray, vice Crow 
resigned, June, 1860; Reuben M. Case, 1862; Alexander Leslie, 
1864; George Whitman, 1866; McCrillus Gray, 1870; George 
Whitman, 1874; Jefferson W. Richardson, July 12, 1877 ; Perry 
W. Chappell, 1880; Fred H. Portker, 1884. 

Clerks. — John Mclntire, 1817; John B. Hannah, 1855; Al- 
bert H. Logan, 1863 ; William Barr, appointod vice Logan re- 
signed, June 19, 1865; Joseph P. Glezen, 1865; Jefferson W. 
Richardson, 1871; John Crow, 1874, Daniel C. Ashby, 1878, re- 
elected in 1882. 

Recorders. — John Mclntire, 1817; David Miley, 1851; John 
Mclntire, 1858; Jonathan Wilson, December, 1863; Daniel C. 
Ashby, 1868 ; Mark Powers, 1876, and Joseph C. Ridge, 1884. 

Auditors. — John Mclntire, 1841; Clark M. Anthony, June, 
1846; Joseph P. Glezen, 1847; W. H. De Bruler, 1855; David 
H. Miley, 1858; William C. Davenport, 1862; Levi Ferguson, 
1866; Ansel J. Patterson, 1874; Franklin Bilderback, 1878, and 
W. J. Bethell, 1882. 

Surveyors. — Hosea Smith, 1817; William Hawthorn, 1847; 
William C. Davenport, 1852; John H. Boyd, 1858; William 
C. Davenport, 1860; William Hawthorn, 1862; Mark Reed, 1864; 
H. D. Onyett, 1865; D. W. Horton, 1866; William C. Miller, 
1870; John B. Blaize, 1874; Josiah Martin, 1878; William C. 
Miller, 1882, and F. R. Bilderback, 1884. 



288 IIISTOKY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

County Commissioners. — Paul Tislow, James Campbell, Har- 
rison Blockgrave, February 10, 1817; Peter Brenton, vice Camp- 
bell, August 11, 1817; Moses Harrell, vice Blackgrave, 1818; 
Jesse Traylor, vice Tislow, 1819; Jacob Pea, vice Brenton, 1820; 
Peter Brenton, vice Harrell, 1821; Thomas Pride, vice Taylor, 
1822; Kobert Crow, vice Pea, 1823. In 1824 the board of jus- 
tices, consisting of all the justices of the peace in the county, 
took the place of the county commissioners, and continued to do 
theJir business until 1831, when three commissioners were again 
elected. Joseph C. Morgan, Levi Kinman, Henry Coleman, 
1831; Archibald Campbell, vice Coleman, 1832; Conrad Cole- 
man, vice Campbell and Wesley De Bruler, vice Kinman, 1836; 
Charles F. White, vice Morgan, 1837; James R. Withers, vice 
Coleman, 1838; Thomas Hargrave, vice De Bruler, 1839; Con- 
rad Coleman, vice Withers, 1841 ; Thomas Williams, vice White, 
1842; Joseph Chew, vice Hargrave, 1843; Henry Brenton, vice 
Williams, 1844; Richard Selby, vice Chew, 1845; Alexander 
Barnes, vice Henry Brenton, 1846 ; Warren Smith, vice Coleman, 
1847; Warner L. Scott, vice Selby, 1848; Henry Brenton, vice 
Alexander Barnes, 1849; Meredith Howard, vice Warner L. 
Scott, 1851; Joseph Manning, vice Smith, 1852; Joseph C. Mor- 
gan, vice Brenton, 1852; Marcellus Chew, vice Howard, 1854; 
Henry Brenton, vice Morgan (resigned), 1854; S. LeMasters, 
vice Manning, 1856; James E. Davidson, vice Brenton, 1859; 
Jonathan J., Bowman, vice Davidson, 1861 ; James M. Evans, 
vice LeMasters, 1862; Goodlet Morgan, vice Chew, 1863; 
George W. Massey, vice Evans, 1864; Josiah ChappeU, vice 
Morgan, 1866; John Stubblefield, vice Chappell (resigned), 
1867; Leroy Eobinson, vice Stubblefield, 1867; Dale O. Stew- 
art, vice J. Bowman, 1867; Marcellus Chew, vice Robinson, 
1870; J. J. Bowman, vice Stewart, 1870; W. H. De Bruler, vice 
Massey, 1871; Patrick McNabb, vice Chew, 1872; John Thomp- 
son, vice De Bruler, 1873; Herman Henke, vice Thompson, 1874; 
William T. Anderson, vice NcNabb, 1875; John J. Robling, 
vice Bowman, 1876 ; Joseph Ferguson, vice Henke, 1877 ; George 
Fettinger, Sr., vice Anderson, 1878 ; J. J. Bowman, vice Robling, 
1879; Joseph p. Ridge, vice Fettinger (deceased), 1882; Aaron 
H. George, vice Ridge, 1882 ; Albert H. Johnson, vice Bowman, 
1882; Vinson France, vice Ferguson, 1883; WiUiam J. Abbott 
vice George, 1884. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. , 289 

County Agents. — John Jolmson, February, 1817 ;' Thomas C. 
Stewart, August, 1817 ; Moses HarreU, 1823 ; John Butler, 
1824; John Finn, 1825; James Brenton, 1829. 

Associate Circuit Judges. — Arthur Harbison, 1817; Henry 
Brenton, 1817 ; Thomas J. Withers, 1818 ; Elijah Hammond, 
1822 ; Henry Hopkins, 1823 ; William Hargrove, 1824 ; James 
Hillman, 1828 ; Charles F. White, 1831 ; George Chambers, 
1835 ; Turner Wyatt, 1836 ; James HiUman, 1838 ; Thomas 
Pride, 1840; Josiah Chappell, 1844; Charles Alexander, 1848; 
John Almon, 1849 ; James Hillman, 1851 ; H. A. Edwards, 
1851. 

Circuit Judges. — William Prince, 1817 ; David Hart, 1818 ; 
Kichard Daniel, 1819; J. E. E. Goodlet, 1820; ^amuel Hall, 
1832; Elisha Embree, 1836; James Lockhart, 1846; A. P. Hovey, 
1852 ; William E. Niblack, 1854 ; BaUard Smith, 1858 ; M. 
F. Barker, 1859; James C. Denny, 1864; John Baker, 1865; 
James C. Denny, 1866 ; James T. Pierce, 1867 ; O. M. Welbom, 
1873. 

Probate Judges.— Matthew Fo8ter,1831 ; H. P. DeBruler,1835 ; 
F. F. Sawyer, 1842; Thomas Pride, 1847; Charles Alexander, vice 
Pride (resigned), 1847. 

Justices of the Peace. — James Edmonson, John McManus, 
Samuel Smythe, Benjamin Rice, Joseph W. Loan, Zachariah 
Selby, William Wright, John Case, 1817; Thomas Mead, Levi 
Kinman, John G. Withers, 1818; D. Kinman, 1819; Nicholas 
Naylor, Charles DeBruler, Archibald Campbell, James B. Mc- 
Garrah, W. Doughter, 1820; F. F. Sawyer, Thomas Martin, 
1821; Joseph Hawkins, 1822; Jacob Pea, 1823; William Crow, 
Charles F. White, James Hillman, 1824; Thomas Pride, 1825; 
John Finn, Henry Brenton, John Crow, 1826; John Butler, E. 
H. Maxon, 1827 ; George Wright, Henry Hillman, Thomas Mil- 
ler, David Miley, H. B. Merrick, John B. Dohine, 1828 ; John 
Martin, Thomas Fowler, 1830; J. G. Gray, 1831; John Butler, 
Sebastian Conger, Charles Alexander, Meredith Howard, Henry, 
Hillman, 1832; A. Snyder, 1833; John Colvin, Joseph Arnold, 
Samuel Stucky, 1834; Peter Bobbins, Small Bass, Elias Osborne, 
James Crow, H. I. S. English, Thomas Williams, 1835; William 
C. Davenport, Josiah Whitehead, William Brunson, Biobert Bren- 
ton, 1836; A. Wiggs, 1838; S. S. P. Dedrick, 1889; Newtor 



290 HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 

Brenton, Daniel C. Black, 1840; Edward W. Fowler, Joseph A. 
Gray, Richard M. Barrett, 184-1; Samuel Kinman, Jonathan Con- 
ger, Thomas Fowler, William Wright, Jr., Samuel S. Johnson, 
1842; George Wright, Samuel Fettinger, James Clark, Daniel H. 
Roberts, 1844. 

RepresentaUves. — Richard Daniel and John Johnson (Gib- 
son, Pike, Dubois and a part of Posey Counties), 1818; John 
Johnson (Pike), 1825; same (Pike and Dabois), 1826; James 
Ritchie, same, 1828; Thomas C. Stewart, same, 1829; George H. 
Proffit, same, 1832; William M. Wright, same, 1833; Benjamin 
R. Edmundson, 1835; George H. Proffit, 183(3; same (Pike), 
1837; same (Pike and Dabois), 1838; Elijah Bell (Pike), 1839; 
Aaron B. McCrillus (Pike and Dubois), 1840; Alvan T. Whight 
(Pike), 1841; 'Robert Logan, same, 1843; Alvan T. Whight, 
same, 1844; Robert Logan, same, 1845; James C Graham, same, 
1848; James R. Withers, same, 1849; Perry Brown, same, 1850; 
James C. Graham, same, 1851; John S. Martin, same, 1855; G. 
Massey, same, 1857 ; A. J. Wells, same, 1801 ; W. H. DeBruler, same, 
1863; J. W. Richardson, same, 1865; Lewis Wilson, same, 1867; 
Robert Logan, same, 1869; James Barker, same, 1873; James W. 
Arnold, same, 1875 ; L. W. Stewart, same, 1877 ; James Barker, 
same, 1879; Samuel Hargrove (Pike and Dubois), 1881 ; Morman 
Fisher, same, 1883; Lemuel Hargrave, same, 1885. 

Senators. — Isaac Montgomery (Gibson, Pike and Dubois), 
1818; David Robb (same), 1820; Richard Daniel (Gibson & 
Pike), 1821; Thomas H. Blake (Sullivan, Green, Yigo, Owen 
and Pike), 1821; Richard Daniel (Gibson & Pike), 1822; Isaac 
Montgomery (same), 1823 and to 1825; then (Gibson, Pike and 
Dubois), 1826-28; David Robb (same), 1829-33; Elisha 
Embree (same), 1833-35; Thomas C. Stewart (same), 1835- 
88; John Hargrove (same), 1838-40; Smith Miller (same), 
1841-44; Benjamin R. Edmundson (same), 1844-47; Smith 
Miller (same), 1847-50; Benjamin T. Goodman (same), 1850- 
52; WiUiam Hawthorn (same), 1852-56; John Hargrove (same), 
1856-60; Thomas Shoulders (same), 1860-64; James Barker 
(same), 1864-68; Aaron Houghton (Pike, Dubois & Martin), 
1869; Leroy Cave (same), 1871; James B. Hendricks (Warrick 
and Pike), 1875; T. B. Hart (same), 1879; Eward P. Richard- 
son (same), 1883. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 291 

Elections. — For many years after the organization of the 
county, the voters at a general election could cast their ballots at 
any voting place in the county, and as there was more excite- 
ment and larger crowds at the county seat than elsewhere, the 
majority of the votes were cast there. Until after the " Hard 
Cider Campaign" whisky was freely used at elections and 
political speakings. Usually a barrel of whisky would be rolled 
out, its head knocked in, and drinking vessels conveniently placed, 
so that all could partake of it as freely as of water. Of course 
fights were numerous, but as the fists were the only weapons used 
the results were not serious. The first general election occurred 
in August, 1817. For representative to Congress Thomas Posey 
received 71 votes and William Hendricks the same number, the 
vote being a tie. By townships the vote was as follows : Posey — 
Washington, 53; Madison, 9; Jefferson, 5; Harbison, 4; Hend- 
ricks- — Washington, 23 ; Madison, 7 ; Jefferson, 21 ; Harbison, 20. 
In 1819, John Jennings received for governor 99 votes, and his 
opponent, Christopher Harrison, received 37. The decrease in 
votes from the election in 1817 is accounted for by the fact that 
Harbison Township had been cut off at the formation of Dubois 
County. In 1820 William Hendricks received the entire vote of 
the county for representative to Congress. The vote for State 
senator stood 130 for Richard Daniel and 66 for Isaac Montgom- 
ery. The following year for State representative John Johnson 
received 120 votes and David Kinman 61. In 1822 William 
Hendricks received the entire vote for governor. For represen- 
tative to Congress Charles Dorsy received 45 votes, and WilHam 
Prince, 173. In 1823, for State senator, Isaac Montgomery 
received 168 votes and David Robb, 73. The next year the vote 
for congressman stood: Jacob Call, 65; Ratliff Boon, 20^. At 
the presidential election of that year the vote by townships was 
as follows: 

DEMOCRATIC. REPUBLICAN. WHIG. 

TOWNSHIPS. Jackson and Clay and Adams and 

Calhoun. — Stnford. 

Washington 13 59 1 

Madison 5 6 

Jefferson 13 8 2 

Clay 18 1 

Totals 31 91 4 

The vote in Monroe Township could not be ascertained. 



292 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

In 1825, the vote for governor was Isaac Blackford (Whig), 
154; James B. Kay (Democrat), 43. For Congress the follow- 
ing year, Thomas H. Blake received 32 votes and Eatliff Boon 245. 
Two years later the vote for the same candidates show a remark- 
able change. Two townships gave Blake 169 votes and Boon 
113. The same k>wnships gave H, H. Moor for governor, 97 
votes; James B. Kay, 110; Isaac T, Canby, 73. 

The vote for President and Vice-president was as follows: 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN 

TOWNSHIPS. Jackson Clay 

and Calhoun. and*Sargeant. 

Washington 129 73 

Madison 8 25 

Clay 3 15 

Jefferson 9 27 

Monroe 2 16 

Totals 151 156 

In 1831 the vote for governor was Noah Noble (AVhig), 172 ; 

James G. Reed (Democrat), 265. The following is the vote at 

the Presidential election in 1832: 

DEMOCRATIC. WHIG. 

T0WK8HIP8. Jackson Clay 

and Van Buren. and Rush. 

Washington 157 105 

Jefferson 7 35 

Clay 9 

Monroe 5 16 

Madison 17 9 

Totals.... 186 174 

In 1834 the vote for governor was Noah Noble (Whig), 182; 
James G. Reed, (Democrat) 278. The next year for representa- 
tive to Congress, Ratliff Boon received 252 votes and John G. 
Clendennin, 193. 

The vote at the Presidential election of 1836 was as follows: 

WHIG. DEMOCRATIC. 

TOWNSHIPS. Harrison Van Buren 

and Granger, and Johnson. 

Washington 172 173 

Madison 20 6 

Clay 11 6 

Jefferson.. 7 28 

Monroe 8 13 

Totals 218 226 

In 1837 the vote for governor stood: John Dumont (Demo- 
crat), 267; David Wallace (Whig), 286. The vote for congress- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 293 

mail was still more evenly divided, RatlifP Boon receiving 284 
votes and John Pitcher 28G. 

The above results show that the strength of the two parties 
was very nearly equal. In 1839 George H. Proffit, a brilliant 
and popular candidate, defeated his democratic opponent for rep- 
resentative to Congress, Eobert Dale Owen, by a decided majori- 
ty, that is so far as Pike County was concerned in the result. 
The vote stood Proffit, 478 ; Owen, 227. After the hard cider 
campaign of the next year this majority suffered but little de- 
crease. The following is the vote: 

DEMOCRATIC. WHIG. 

TOWNSHIPS. Van Biiren Harrison 

and Johnson, and Tyler. 

Washington 183 309 

Clay 10 17 

Monroe 6 7 

Madison 34 13 

Patoka. 59 106 

Jefferson 26 23 

Totals 318 474 

The vote for governor was, Tilghman A. Howard (Demo- 
cratic), 354; Samuel Bigger (Whig), 472. 

In 1843 the vote for governor was James Whitcomb (Demo- 
cratic), 423; Samuel Bigger (Whig), 390. For congressman, 
Owen received 417 votes and John W. Payne 394; a small Demo- 
cratic maj(^rit\- which was maintained at the next Presidential 
election, as is shown by tlie vote: 

WHIG. DEMOCRATIC. 

TOWNSHIPS. Clay and Polk 

Frelinghuysen. and Dallas. 

Washington 267 248 

Jefferson 9 37 

Madison 34 60 

Monroe 11 33 

Patoka 101 90 

Clay 37 23 

Totals 459 491 

The next year Owen again received a majority of votes for 
representative to Congress over his Whig opponent, G. P. E. 
Wilson. The vote was Owen, 459, W^ilson, 400. In 1846 the 
Democratic majority shows a considerable increase, James Whit- 
comb received 508 votes for governor, and Joseph G. Marshall 
872, but in 1847 Elisha Embree, Whig candidate for congress- 



2ii4 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

man loccived 486 votes, and Owen, 464. The following is the 
vote at tlie [)resi(lential election of 1848: 

WHIG. DEMOCRAT. 

TOWNSHIPS, Taylor Cass 

and Fillmore, and Butler. 

Washington •. 156 99 

Madison 55 72 

Patoka 70 68 

Logan 50 63 

Monroe 42 63 

Jefferson 75 107 

Clay 70 38 

Totals 518 510 

But one vote was cast for the Free Soil candidUe at this elec- 
tion. In 1849 the vote for governor was J A, Wright (Demo- 
crat), 591, John A. Matson (Whig), 476; for representative to 
Congress, Nathaniel Albertson (Democrat), 568, Elisha Embree 
(Whig), 512. The vote for congressman in 1851 was James 
Lockhart (Democrat), 606, L. Q. DeBruler (Whig), 583. In 
1852 the Democratic majority again shows an increase. 

The vote for governor was Joseph A. Wright (Democrat), 
809, and Nicholas McCarty (Whig), 499. For congressman, 
Smith Miller (Democrat), received 780 votes and William Reavis, 
546. The November election resulted as follows: 

DEMOCBAT. WHIG. 

TOWNSHIPS. Pierce and Scott and 

King. Graham. 

Washington..'. 225 172 

Jefferson 131 83 

Madison 55 57 

Clay 39 66 

Logan 100 56 

Patoka 78 72 

Monroe 32 16 

Lockhart 28 16 

Totals 688 538 

For congressman in 1854 the vote stood. Smith Miller (Dojn- 
*ocrat), 701, Samuel Hall (Whig), 668. At the gubernatorial 
election, two years later, Ashbel R. Willard (Democrat), received 
802 votes, and Oliver P. Morton (Republican), 608. For -cpn- 
gressman the vote was James C. Veatch (Republican), 620; 
James Lockhart (Democrat), 785. 

The presidential election resulted as follows : 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 205 

DEMOCRAT. REPUBLICAN. AMKKICAN. 

Buchanan and Fremont and Fillmore and 
TOWNSHIPS. Breckinridge. Dayton. Donelson. 

Washington 137 74 211 

Jefferson 181 2 84 

Marion.. 35 67 

Clay 49 9 54 

Patoka 148 3 67 

Logan 52 20 34 

Monroe 94 1 33 

Lockhart 76 1 28 

Totals 773 80 572 

In 1858 for congressman, W. E, Niblack (Democrat) received 
612 votes, and A. P. Hovey (Eepublican), 569. In 1860, for 
the same office, L. Q. De Bruler (Republican) received 903 votes 
and John Law (Democrat) 877. For governor, Thomas Hen- 
dricks (Democrat) received 910 votes, and Henry S. Lane (Re- 
publican) 863. The following is the vote for President and 
Vice-President : 

DOUGLAS DEM. BRECKINRIDGE DEM. BEPDBLICAN. AMERICAN. 

Douglas and Breckinridge Lincoln and Bell and 
TOWNSHIPS. Johnson. • and Lane. Hamlin. Everett. 

Washington 152 278 11 

Jefferson 194 15 180 5 

Monroe 97 30 47 2 

Patoka 87 3 97 9 

Logan 72 96 1 

Marion 71 3 45 3 

Lockhart 91 6 72 1 

Madison 60 1 68 2 

Clay 58 61 5 

Totals 882 58 894 39 

For congressman in 1862 the vote was A. Johnson, 618 ; John 
Law, 594. In 1864, for governor, Joseph E. McDonald, 957; 
O. P. Morton, 938. For President and Vice-President, in that 
year: 

DEMOCRAT. • RBPUBLICAN. 

McLellan and Lincoln and 

TOWNSHIPS. Pendleton. Johnson. 

Washington 109 294 

Madison 57 64 

Jefferson 240 122 

Clay 46 60 

Logan 55 84 

Patoka 78 120 

Monroe 155 74 

Lockhart 128 59 

Marion 103 48 

Totals 971 920 



296 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

For congressman in 1866, L. Q. De Bruler (Kepublican), 1,245 ; 
W. E. Niblack, 1,168. In 1868 for the same office, James C. 
Veatch (Eepublican), 1,386 ; W. E. Niblack, 1,381. For governor 
the vote stood, Conrad Baker (Eepublican), 1,387; Thomas Hen- 
dricks (Democrat), 1,380. For President and Vice-President: 

DEMOCRAT. REPUBLICAN. 

Seymour and Grant and 
TOWNSHIPS. Blair. Colfax. 

Washington 165 373 

Madison 75 89 

Clay 59 83 

Jefferson 301 192 

Logan 73 121 

Patoka 147 169 

Monroe 195 144 

Lockhart 190 147 

Marion :.... 165 92 

Totals 1369 14io 

In 1870 for congressman the vote stood: H. C. Gooding (Re- 
publican), 1,106; William E. Niblack (Democrat), 1,215. In 
1872 for governor, Thomas M. Browne (Republican), 1,317; 
Thomas A. Hendricks (Democrat), 1,437. For congressman, 
William Heilman (Republican), 1,342; William E. Niblack (Dem- 
ocrat), 1,434. The November election resulted as follows: 

DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN. 

LIBERAL REPUBLICAN. Grant 

TOWNSHIPS. Greely and Brown. and Wilson. 

Washington 173 343 

Clay 51 88 

Madison * 65 77 

Marion 167 69 

Logan 51 119 

Monroe 194 91 

Jefferson 261 186 

Lockhart 184 170 

Patoka 123 185 

Totals 1269 1328 

In 1876 for governor, Benjamin Harrison (Republican), re- 
ceived 1,523 votes; James D. Williams (Democrat), 1,702. For 
congressman, T. R. Cobb (Democrat), 1,662; Andrew Hum- 
phries (Democrat), 1,646; Lewis Loveless (Republican) — elev- 
en of twelve precincts — 1,457; W. T. Spicely (Republican) — 
the same precincts — 1,444. 

In 1876 the vote for President and Vice-President was: 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV. 297 

DEMOCRAT. REPUBLICAN. INilKPENPFI.T 

TowssHirs. Tilden and Hayes and Cooper 

Hendricks. Wlieeler. and Carey. 

Washington 200 389 19 

Jefferson 305 181 48 

Madison 77 67 4 

Clay 84 107 1 

Patoka 193 177 29 

Monroe 253 170 16 

Logan 80 125 3 

Lockhart 259 193 fi 

Marion 189 49 57 

Totals 1640 1458 183 

In 1878 tlie vote for congressman was: Thomas K. CobI> 
(Democrat), 1,051; Eicliard M. Wellman (Republican), 1,200 
William F. Green (Independent), 478. In 1880 the vote was 
William Heilman (Republican), 1,088; John J. Kleiner (Demn 
crat), 1,753; C. Kramer (Independent), 214 For governo) 
Allen G. Porter (Eepublican) received 1,502 votes, and F. Land 
ers (Democrat), 1,732. The following is the vote at the presi 
dential election: 

REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. INDEPEXDKNT. 

TOWNSHIPS. Garfield Hancock Weaver and 

and Arthur, and English. Chamt)ers. 

Washington 413 256 23 

Jefferson 203 2S6 38 

Madison ^3 1 02 

Clay 117 94 1 

Patoka 24.J 215 36 

Monroe 152 237 29 

Logan 138 1 03 5 

Lockhart 211 291 27 

Marion 56 176 70 

Totals 1618 1760 229 

In 1882 the vote for congressman Avas: William Heilman 
(Republican), 1,029; John J. Kleiner (Democrat), 1,01)4; J. G. 
Nisbet (Independent), 220. In 1884 for the same office: Will- 
iam H. Godgel (Republican), 1,830; John J. Kleiner (Demo- 
crat), 1,889; F. M. English (Independent), 104. For governor: 
Isaac P. Gray (Democrat), 1,883; Willi?im H. Calkins (Repub- 
lican), 1,825; H. Z. Leonard (Prohibition), 133. For President 
and Vice-President: 



298 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. NATIONAL. 

TOWNSHIPS. Blaine Cleveland Butler 

and Logan, and Hendricks, and Weit. 

Washington 461 292. 17 

Jefiferson 195 280 10 

Madison 76 105 

Clay 132 85 

Patoka 338 255 31 

Monroe 161 290 15 

Logan 147 103 3 

Lockhart 214 281 8 

Marion 102 191 47 

Totals 1826 1883 131 



CHAPTER lY. 

BY PROF. Z. T. EMERSON. 



Bknch and Bar— The First Indictments— Character of Cases- 
Court Officials— The First Supreme Court Case— The Famous 
Negro Trial— Other Suits of Interest— Professional Charac- 
ter OF Judges and Attorneys— Important Trials for Murder— 
The Probate Court. 

THE record of the first court o£ Pike County begins as follows : 
"At a Circuit Court began and held at the house of Hosea 
Smith, in and for said County of Pike, on Monday, the Fourteenth 
day of April, 1817, it being the day appointed by law for the set- 
ting of the First Term of said Court. The Hon. William Prince, 
Esq., appeared and produced his Commission as President Judge 
of the first circuit. The Hon. Henry Brenton and the Hon. 
Arthur Harbison, Esqrs., appeared and produced their commis- 
sions as associate Judges of said Court, and it appeared that they 
had severally taken the oath of office provided by the Constitution 
and Laws of the State." On the same day appeared John Mcln- 
tire with his commission as clerk of said court, for whose good 
behavior and official conduct the said John Mclntire, John John- 
son, and Adam Hope bound themselves in the penal sum of "two 
thousand and five hundred dollars good and lawful money of the 
United States " to Jonathan Jennings, governor for the time 
being, or his successors in office. On the same day was Adam 
Hope appointed sheriff, and George R. C. Sullivan prosecuting 
attorney. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY, 



299 



The sheriff returned grand jurors as follows: Thomas J. 
Withers, foreman ; Isaac Alexander, Edward Woods, Jacob Har- 
bmson, John Butler, William Shrode, William McDonald, Hugh 
Redmond, Abram Pea, James Lindsey, John Coonrod, Henry 
Miley, Peter Bunton, Archibald Campbell and .Moses Harrell, 
"fourteen good and lawful men." Thomas H. Blake, David 
Hart, Richard Daniel, Jacob Call, Nathaniel Huntington, Henry 
P. Coburn, and George R. C. Sullivan took the oath as attorneys 
and counselors-at-law. 

The first official act was ordering a seal for the county, which 
was simply the word "seal" en vignette. The above named 
grand jury returned this "true bill" on the next day: "The 
Jurors for the State of Indiana and for the Body of the County of 
Pike, upon their oath present that Willis Boon, late of Washing- 
ton township, of the County of Pike, yeoman, on the fourteenth 
day of April, 1817, with force and arms at the Township and 
County aforesaid, in and upon one James Walker in the peace of 
God and the citizens of the State of Indiana then and there being, 
did make an assault, and him the said James Walker then and 
ther<} did beat, wound and illtreat, so that his life was then and 
there despaired of. and other wrongs to the said James Walker, 
then and there did to the damage of the said James Walker 
against the Statutes and against the peace and dignity of the State 
of Indiana." 

George B. C. Sullivan, Prosecuting Attorney.'''' 

The sheriff was ordered to take said Willis "if found in his baili- 
wick" and hold till next term of court, Willis was produced and 
plead guilty, and was fined $3 and cost ; said fine to g'o to the semi- 
nary fund. Then followed divers other suits of assault and bat- 
tery. Benjamin Ashley brought suit against Jeremiah Arnold, 
whereupon Jeremiah brought counter suit against Benjamin, and 
both were fined. The first jury case in the county was entitled 
Henry Coonrod vs. James Ashley. The following twelve "good 
and lawful men" constituted that jury: Thomas Williams, Henry 
Coleman, C. Pickens, Hugh Shaw, David Fonts, William Wright, 
Levi Kinman, J. Millburn, William Shook, William Wright, Sr., 
Samuel Kinman, and Henry Miley. The case was against de- 
fendant. 

The case being peculiar, as well as the language, we give the 



300 TIISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

indictment: "The Grand Jury for the State of Indiana, and the 
body of the body of the County of Pike, upon their oaths, pre- 
sent that Tobias Bright, late of Washington Township, * * 
laliorer, by force and arms did take, steal, (me table-fork, of the 
value of twenty-five cents, the personal goods of Theodosia Saw- 
yer, * * against the peace and dignity of the State of Indiana.'" 
John Pitcher, Prosecuiim/ Affoi-iwij. 

The proceedings were in the exact language, as follows: "To- 
bias Bright put himself upon the Country, and the attorney prose- 
cuting doth the same. Wherefore, let a Jury come. Where- 
upon, came a jury, to-wit: T. C. Stewart, Randle Lett, William 
Pride, Jonathan Postlewait, Jacob Pea, John Selby, George Saw- 
yer, Thomas Hargrave, Lewis Thomas, Henry McFetrich, Samuel 
Kinman and Thomas Young, twelve good and lawful men, who, 
being duly elected, tried, and sworn upon their oath, do say, we, 
of the jury, find the defendant guilty, and assess his fine at twelve 
and one-half cents, the value of the fork stolen, that he return the 
fork stolen to Theodosia Sawyer, the owner thereof, or on failing to 
restore the same to pay the said Theodosia twenty-five cents two- 
fold value of the fork stolen, and adjudge him to be confined at 
hard labor in the State prison of the State of Indiana, at or near 
Jeffersonville, in the State aforesaid, for the term of one year. 

''T. C. Stewart, Foreman.'' 

The case was tried at the September term, 1823, J. R. E. Good- 
let presiding, with E. Hammond and Henry Hopkins, as asso- 
ciates. The court gravely ordered Tobias to pay 12^ cents to the 
State, and 12^ cents to Theodosia, and that the sheriff execute the 
decree of the court and the jury. It was thought the defendant 
was not guilty. The crime was committed at a camp-meeting, 
and the fork causing the trouble had but one tine, and was stolen 
while sticking in a tree to fasten thereto a candle. 

To the thirty-second case there had been but two or three suits 
for debt, four or five for retailing liquor ; the remainder, with one 
or two exceptions, were assault and battery, and in nearly every 
case either William Wright, Sr,, or William Wright, Jr., was a 
party to the suit It seems as though fisticuff was not looked 
upon as a very disgraceful affair then, as nearly every one seems 
to have tried his hand at the game. 

Boh and Anthony. — This was a long and tedious case, wherein 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 301 

Bob and Antliouy. two '• free men of color,''' were plaintiffs, and 
Luke Decker was defendant. Bob and Anthony were held by 
Decker as slaves, or he claimed their services. He claimed Bob 
as an indented servant, setting up the plea that in 1804 said Bob 
of his own free will bound himself to said Decker for a term of 
fifteen years, for the sum of ^400 in hand paid, to which Bol) ei;- 
tered a general denial, claiming that he had had no consideration 
and was held by force. Anthony was claimed under the laws of 
Virginia, and the sixth article of agreement on the ceding of 
Northwest Territory to the United States. This will be shown 
further on. The case was begun in Orange County, and Avas 
brought to Pike County, and a change of venue was taken to Jef- 
ferson County, and was finally remanded to Pike County. The 
case first appeared in Pike at the first term of court in 1817, and 
Avas finally settled in 1822 by the same court. The following is 
BoVs plea for a change: 

To THE HoNS. Henry Brenton and Arthur Harbison, Associate Judges 
FOR THE County of Pike, in the State of Indiana. 

The, Petitioner, Bob, a tree man of color, respectfully represents to your 
Honors that be bas at tbis time a case pending in tbe Circuit Court bolden for 
the County of Pike within tbe First Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, and 
undetermined, wherein he, the said Bob, a free man of color, is plaintiff, and 
Luke Decker is defendant, and your petitioner further states that he is fearful 
and does not believe that from the prejudices of the President Judge of tbe 
First Judicial Circuit, also from tbe predjudice of the people of Pike aforesaid, 
and from the undue influence of Luke Decker over the minds of the people of 
said county, he is fearful and does believe he cannot have a fair and impartial 
trial in any county in the First Judicial Circuit, and therefore prays your Honors 
to grant him a change of tbe venue in tbe case aforesaid to any County in the- 
Third Judicial Circuit your Honors may think proper to grant. 

his 
Bob, X a free man of color, 
mark 
The following is the plea of defendant : 

John Decker, father of Luke Decker, moved from Virginia prior to July 30, 
1787; he moved to the northwest of tbe Ohio River and that territory then be- 
longed to the territorial limits of Virginia, but on it3 cession to Congress was sub- 
ject to certain terms and conditions, among which is one in tbe words followin.i;: 
That tbe French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of Kaskaskia and 
St. Vincent* and tbe neighboring villages who have professed themselves citizens 
of Virginia, shall have the possession and letters confined to them, and be pro- 
tected in their rights and liberties ; that long before the said 30th day of July, 
1787, John Decker, father of Luke Decker, was a resident and citizen within tbe 
present limits of Virginia, and as such citizen, was tbe owner and possessor of a 
number of persons of color as slaves, amongst whom was a woman called Rach ; 

*The early name of Viucennes. 



302 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

that long before the said 30th day of July. 1787, the said John Decker removed 
with his slaves and family aforesaid from the State of Virginia to St. Vincent 
where he continued to dwell until his death ; that a short time after his residence 
at St. Vincent the said John Decker departed this life having first made and as- 
serted his last will and testament in writing, which said last will was duly proved 
and recorded ; that among other decrees is to be found the following to wit: 
"I likewise give and bequeath unto my wife Dinah, a negro wench named Rach 
during her natural life, and at her death to revert to my son Luke ; which said 
Rach is the said Rach before mentioned and the mother of the said Anthony; the 
said Dinah continues to hold the said Rach as her slave under the decrees afore- 
said until the death of th£ said Dinah, after which the said Rach, together with 
the said Anthony, reverted to the said Luke Decker under, and by the authority 
of said decree ; that after the death of the said Dinah took possession of the said 
Anthony, son of said Rach aforesaid, as her lawful slave as he might ; that said 
Anthony continued peaceable and quietly in the possession of said Luke until the 
14th day of July last p.vst, when the said Anthony without the will and consent 
of him, the said Luke, desert his services and keeping and contract, and to 
continue out of the service or contract of the said Luke until the 29th day of 
January last past, on which day. and prior to^the service of the writ on the said 
Luke, he the said Luke, did receive the peaceable and quiet possession of him, 
the said Anthony, from Zachariah Lindley, Esq., sheriff of Orange County, and 
hath, in like manner detained the said Anthony as lawfully he might, and this 
is the cause of the detention of the said Anthony, the body of which he has. 

"Luke Decker." 
Thus, after nearly five years of contest the case was decided 
before J. E. E. Goodlet, Henry Brenton, and T. J. Withers, that 
Bob and Anthony should not be held, and that Luke Decker 
should pay the costs of the suit. The fii-st appeal to the supreme 
court was made in the case of J. W. Loan against James Eeedy, 
about the same time the Hon. David Hart became president 
judge, a position which he held about one year, 1818 to 1819. 
He was followed by Eichard Daniel who held the place from 
1819 to 1820, before whom were tried several cases entitled scire 
facias, Trespass vi et armis, trespass on the case, etc. Soon after 
J. E, E. Goodlet came upon the bench, a case of considerable in- 
terest was tried in which John Chamber and wife sued Thomas 
Young for slander. Young was accused of having called the 
wife (Eachel) of Chambers many ugly names, such as murderess, 
adulteress and such terms, while Eachel claimed that she was 
" a good, true, honest, just, faithful, discreet, chaste and virtuous 
citizen of the State of Indiana " which was. made evident to the 
si^tisfaction of the following jury of " good and lawful men " 
John Catt, Ebenezer Case, Levi Kinman, Charles Williams, H. 
B. Merrick, Henry Miley, M. Thomas, John Kinman, Phillip 
Coffee, Jere Gladdish, John Kinman, Sr., and Eichard White, who re- 



1I18T0RV OF PIKK ( OUNiV. 303 

turned a verdict against Thomas for $25 damage and costs. A 
second suit was brought against Elizabeth, wife of Young, with 
about the same results. This seems to have been a decade for 
slander suits, as Hugh Shaw brought a $3,000 suit against Han- 
son More for calling him "hog thief;'' Paul Tislow, a $500 suit 
against T. J. Withers; William Wright, a $10,000 suit against 
Thomas Mead; Martin Miley, a $2,000 suit against William 
Wright for saying: "You stole money and I can prove it;" 
Thomas Case a $2,000 suit against Graves Mead for asserting, 

" you are a rascal, rogue and liar ; " Hannah Crayton claimed 

$1,000 fi'om Charles A. Lamb and wife for saying " she stole a 
stran of beads fi-om me;" and, in turn. Lamb and wife brought 
suit against the Craytons. Nothing was recovered in any case ex- 
cept the last two in which there was a verdict for $36 for thfe 
Craytons in the first, and one for $50 for Lamb in the second suit. 

In 1829, Henry Coonrod brought suit against George Miley, 
for alienating the affections of his wife, Elizabeth, and recovered 
$1,000 damages, and was granted a divorce fi'om her. In the 
same year, the grand jury returned their first "true bill" for 
assault, with intent to kill. It was against Cain Hudspeth, in 
"language and figures," as follows: "That Cain Hudspeth, pick- 
maker, otherwise laborer, not having the fear of God, but being 
moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, did assault 
with a peach tree limb and withe of no value, upon the head and 
neck, and drug upon the ground a great distance, and from an 
oven and a hat * * did throw water upon the body so that by 
his wounds and a mortal distemper, he, John Hewit, did die." 
However, a jury of "fifteen good and lawful" men found him "not 
guilty." 

In the next court, Alexander Leslie brought suit for slander 
against Abraham Tourtellot, for calling him "thief" and saying 
he had tried to poison him. The case came up before Judges 
Samuel Hall, James Hilliman and Charles P. White, in which a 
verdict of $150 was awarded to Leslie. 

In 1841, the court found Charles Alexander guilty of official 
negligence in delivering a commission to James Blackford, as 
road supervisor of District No. 3, Monroe Townshij), and to show 
that its official dignity was not to be trifled with, assessed his 
fine at 1 cent to the seminary- of learning, and that he stand com- 



304 HISTORY OF I'lKK COUNT'i . 

mitted until paid; Meredetli Howard was lined a like sum iov a 
similar offense; at the same time Elias Terry, Daniel C. Black 
and Elijah Bell were fined $•'><> each for contempt of court. A 
ease occurred a little earlier in which the State found an indict- 
ment against Rebecca Coleman for perjury, in giving false testi- 
mony against James Hillman. Rebecca plead that she was not 
guilty. "Whereupon she threw herself upon the country." The 
"attorney prosecuting doth the same. Wherefore, let a jury 
come," and they did come and returned a verdict, "not guilty." 
Rebecca was allowed to go "without day." 

President Judges. — The judges up to 1833, had been William 
Prince, Daniel Hart, Richard Daniel, J. R. E. Goodlet and 
Samuel Hall. The first had been a citizen of Knox County, of 
excellent family, a commissioner in a treaty with the Indians 
about 1811. Princeton was named in his honor; he served but 
one year as judge. Judge Prince, as an attorney, is said to have 
been neither ready nor brilliant, was slow in forming an opinion, 
but his opinions were from deliberate thought, for which reason 
a judgeship was his sphere. 

It will be seen from preceding pages, that David Hart was one 
of the attorneys admitted on the opening of the court in 1817, 
and became president judge the following year, but served only 
one year, and was succeeded in 1817 by Richard Daniel, another 
of the first counselors, but he served only one year, and in 1820, 
was succeeded ©n the bench by Hon. J. R. E. Goodlet, who 
served till 1832. It might not seem strange that these judges 
should resign, as the salary was only $700 and only three circuits 
in the State. 

By way of contrast, it may be proper to remark that there 
are now thirty -eight circuits, and judges receive something like 
$3,000 each. It might be further said that John Mclntire re- 
ceived only $50 a year as clerk, and Adam Hope $50 as sheriff, 
while G. R. C. Sullivan, as prosecutor, got $100. Mention is 
made of his faculty for getting good fees elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. Of the professional character of Judge Goodlet, it is said 
that he was not a brilliant practitioner. He was phlegmatic and 
deliberate, and a good counselor, but lacked that readiness and 
rapidity essential to success before a jury. His personal char- 
acter was such as to receive a namesake in one of the county's 
most honored citizens, J. R. E. G. Morijan. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 305 

Early Attorneys. — Mention has already been made of David 
Hart and Richard Daniel as being two out of the seven who took 
the oath and were sworn as attorneys in the first court in the. 
COnn+v ond bn+h s<^ Konn to become indo-es ovf^r ihf^ aflTTiA court. 
Their rapid ascent is evidence of their worth. Both were said toi 
be men of no mean merit. Thomas H. Blake was widely and ex- 
tensively known in the courts in southern Indiana, where he had 
an extensive practice. In 1839 he was a candidate for the United 
States Senate, but was defeated. The history of the remaining 
attorneys is not well known. Henry Hurst and Charles Dewey 
were well-known lawyers of the First Circuit, and were attorneys 
for defendant in the case of Anthony against Luke Decker. In 
1832 Samuel Hall was commissioned judge. This man deserves 
some notice. He was admitted to the bar in 1823, began practice 
in 1829, and was elected judge in 1832. He was elected as a 
member of the General Assembly for two terms, and served on 
the board of public works for a number of years, where he exer- 
cised a very healthful influence over the financial acts of that 
board; served as lieutenant-governor for three years. .Jle retired 
from general practice in 1840. He was bitterly opposed to hold- 
ing one man as security for another. He urged such a matter 
on the Legislature in 1831, and as a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1850, urged the following bill: "No man shall be 
held to answer a debt, default or miscarriage of any other person 
upon contract entered into from and after the year 1860, except 
in cases where executors and administrators are required to give 
bond, and where security is given to persqns acting in a judiciary 
capacity." On the bench with Judge Hall were James Hillman 
and Charles P. White, as associates. Then Judge Hall resigned, 
and was succeeded by Elisha Embree, who had been prominent as 
an attorney and legislator for some time. In 1838 Mr. Embree 
defeated the Hon. George H. Proffit for the State Senate. He 
was elected to Congress in 1847, over Hon. R. D. Owen. He 
was author of a bill to abolish the "Congress mileage" system. 
Judge Embree was a man of the highest integrity as a lawyer, 
statesman and legislator. He was not that kind of a lawyer who 

Often miss the skies 
For aiding knaves in telling lies. 

In 1840 while Elisha Embree was judge the grand jury found' 



306 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

a "True Bill" against James Mead for gaming to which James set 
up a general denial and was at last induced "to throw himself upon 
the country." The complaint accused the said defendant of win- 
ning a dollar contrary to the statutes, and the following jury of 
"twelve good and lawful men:" Daniel Catt, James Thomas, 
William Thompson, Adam Decker, Samuel Lett, Daniel Hillman, 
P. H. Woodward, David May, William Cutwright, John B. Kich- 
ardson, John Palmer and Peter Brenton, found the defendant 
guilty as charged and assessed his fine at 1 cent to be given to 
the seminary fund. 

At first all fines of this character werif for the seminary fund 
but later they were for the "seminaries of learning." Just where 
these "seminaries of learning" were located in the county might 
puzzle the memories of the oldest. The first witness who claimed 
a fee as a witness so far as the records show, was John Smith in 
a case against Henry Scraper for retailing liquors and in a sim- 
ilar case against William Gumming. This court was prolific in 
cases of assault and battery and in selling liquor without license 
and also for gaming, there being eleven cases of the latter against 
Charles F. White. In August Gov. Noah Noble issued a com- 
mission to James Hillman as associate judge and in February 
before, 1837 L. Q. DeBruler was permitted ex gratia to practice 
for that term. Little beginnings sometimes have great endings. 
During the year 1838 and a number following, A. Tourtellot fig- 
ured in many cases, once for a divorce from his wife Nancy which 
was not granted at that time. In the same year was another jury 
trial in which Joab Chappell, the defendant, was found guilty and 
fined 1 cent. Another important case came up in this court in 
which there was an indictment against Hiram Corn for betting 
on a horse race. Hiram Corn bet 50 cents with James Foster 
that his horse could beat William Case running a race of fifty 
yards. Corn won the bet and the jury assessed a fine of 12^ 
cents against him, but the quick witted attorney moved an ar- 
rest of judgment on the ground that a race between a man and a 
horse was not a horse-race. The judge was inflexible and he 
ordered the prisoner committed until the fine was paid. A second 
case from this county to the supreme court was returned from 
that body to the circuit court. In this case Abraham Tourtellot 
and T, C. Stewart were plaintiffs and David Tunstin et al were 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 307 

defendants. In the same year Isaac P. Horner was fined |10 for 
contempt, and Nancy Tourtellot was given one hour in jail for 
adultery, and George Wyatt fined $25 for the same offense. 

Ad quod Damnum. — The first case of wi quod damnum was in 
the interest of Hiram Hawthorn and Samuel Hawthorn. These 
men desired to build a mill on Patoka, and the case was simply 
an inquiry by a jury as to what damage would befall the public or 
private individuals from the construction of a dam across said 
stream. The jury summoned in the above case made a favorable 
report at the February term, 1839. In the same year were four 
cases against parties f(»r gaming, with fines ranging all the way 
from 2 cents to 5 cents each. 

Oeorge Wright vs. State of Indiana. — This was a case with 
above title in which the State had convicted Wright of "open and 
notorious adultery;" it was taken to the supreme court and the 
court reversed the decision of the lower one on the ground that 
there was proven only occasional adultery, and that that was not 
"open and notorious," consequently the decision was reversed and 
the lower court was ordered to begin the case de novo. In 1841 
D. E. Black was fined $50 in each of three counts, and Elijah 
Bell, prosecuting attorney, $50 in one count for contempt. Clark 
M. Anthony, a well-known attorney of this place, was admitted to 
practice in February, 1841. 

Belinda Hewins brought a suit for divorce and alimony against 
Joel W Hewins, who being "three times solemnly called," did 
not appear to answer. The suit was decided in his absence, and 
the plaintiff retained "all property in her person and recovered 
$500 from the defendant." At the same time "William Clayton 
received a $200 fine and thirty days in jail for perjury, and William 
Crayton received his naturalization papers. The practices of a 
court change quite slowly. There was no motion to quash an 
indictment till about 1850, yet since that time the pages of the 
records are fairly covered with motions to quash. An authority 
says: "It may be of interest to attorneys to know that till near 
this time a motion to quash an indictment was not made. It? 
sufficiency was not tested until the accused had taken his chances 
with the jury, then should the verdict be against him, he went 
into court with the indictment on motion in arrest." A little fur- 
ther on, at the adoption of the new code in 1853, many old terms 



308 HISTOllY OF riKE COUNTY. 

were dropped. The terms " trespass on the case," "assumpsit," 
"trover," "in chancery," "retailing," "assault and battery," "adul- 
tery," "usury," writs of '^ad quod damnum,'''' '■'■ccqnas ad defendcu- 
dum,^'' or "■alias capias defendum,^'' were very numerous. It will be 
observed that those two litigious characters, John Doe and Rich- 
ard Roe, either made friends or one forever "downed" the other 
about the same time. They were two mythical characters inlaw, 
where there were contentions over the possession of real estate. 

The new code provides that cases shall be brought by the 
real party in interest against the real party complained of. Vale 
John Doe and Richard Roe. There was another old form that 
disappeared about the same time where there were judgments 
for money. All such cases ended with "and the defendant in 
mercy, etc." Some old justices of the peace still use it. The 
meaning of the same has called forth this facetious explanation : 
"One attorney has suggested that it was commending him to the 
mercy of the sheriff, to whom an execution would issue, and that 
sheriffs became more and more lenient until finally it has become 
almost impossible, especially when they are candidates for re-elec- 
tions to get them to execute the process at all. Another says, 
that like the solemn appeal at the close of the death sentence, it 
is the last appeal for mercy to the insatiable attorney for the 
plaintiff, who will probably show him no quarter. In truth it 
is an obsolete phrase which meant that the defendant was 'amerced' 
or punished for his delay of justice." 

William W. Carr was admitted as an attorney at the bar at tlit 
August term of 1844, and the matrimonial links binding Daniel 
Risby and Nancy Risby were^legally severed and soon after Nancy 
was compelled to donate $5 for the "seminary of learning" for 
adulterous practices. In February, 1845, Gov. Whitcomb issued 
a commission to Thomas Pride as associate judge for the term of 
seven years from February 24, 1845, and at the same time com- 
missions came to Josiah Chappell and John Mclntire for their 
respective county offices. 

The grand jury found the usual number of "true bills" none of 
which were of much importance, also, Hon. W. E. Niblack and 
T. P. Bradley were admitted to practice law. 

The grand jury found that the "jail was unsafe and that the 
door needed a padlock," and it may be added as an historic fact that 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 309 

the jail gave evidence of weakness and was the object of attention of 
the grand jury for more than thirty years. The court gave Sam- 
uel Decker $2 fine for betting on elections, Tecumseh Gray and 
N. Wheatley $1 each for betting on a horse race which goes to 
show that it is just half as bad to bet on a horse race as to bet on 
election. James McAdams got $2, for fornication and Polly Corn 
$5 for the same offense. Their crimes being in the ratio of five 
to two. James Lockhart received the judicial ermine from the 
shoulders of Judge Embree as is shown by the commission from 
Gov. Whitcomb of February, 1846. L. Q. DeBruler of Spencer 
County, became prosecuting attorney. 

Judge Lockhart was admitted to the bar in 1832, was prose- 
cutor for seven years. He is described as being a "leading law- 
yer of strong and determined mind and in spite of every obsta- 
cle attained a commanding position in his profession. He was 
tall in person, of remarkable voice, was a keen, and logical debat- 
er and an impartial and popular magistrate." He was the first 
to formulate a code of rules to govern "this court." There were 
thirty-nine in all under the heads, "motions" "pleadings and 
papers," "docket," "trial" "sheriff," "chancery," and "miscellan- 
eous." "Under trial" is this rule; "one lawyer only on each 
side can question a witness." Whether an approaching election 
called for it or not, there were twenty-one persons called for 
naturalization papers. There is a notion prevalent that certain 
crimes follow each other, and the records seem to indicate this. 
There were forty-seven indictments for gaming at the same town. 
Thomas Michael received a nominal fine for carrying concealed 
weapons, the first of the kind on record. A second writ of ad 
quod damnum was issued at the instance of Isaac Kinman who 
desired a mill site on South Fork. In 1848 Charles Alexander 
received his commission as associate judge for a period of seven 
years. A case of kidnapping against Hiram W. Kinman and 
Josiah Hoggatt was begun in 1848 and was continued through a 
period of five years. The case was finally dismissed. These 
men were very zealous in returning runaway negroes. 

In 1849 James Startin was fined 1 cent for betting on a horse 
race, $3 for letting the horse run, and W. Cumming $3 for rid- 
ing the horse. In the same year Samuel Greenup was convicted 
of bigamous practices, and required to devote two years of hard 



310 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

labor to the interest of the State of Indiana. A. L. Robinson 
was admitted to the bar in 1850. Maj. Robinson fought in the 
Mexican war, and has been a prominent spirit before the bar for 
thirty years or more. He was known for the energy with which 
he prosecuted criminals. An indictment for assault and battery 
with intent to commit murder was found against William Woolsey 
and James Woolsey, during the same court. The latter was tried 
by jury and found " not guilty." The case against the former 
was soon after nollied. The same court gave Madison Traylor 
$16 for usury, this being the first case of the kind, and James 
Loveless got $20 on the charge of assault and battery with in- 
tent to murder. In 1852 W^oodford Lawson received a two years' 
leave of absence to Jeffersonville for a murderous assault, and 
John Kennedy received four years on each of two counts to the 
place for forgery. Two of our citizens failed to tell the grand 
jury all they knew about gambling, and the wounded dignity of 
that body was healed for the sum of $10 for each case. The same 
year Michael Burk was admitted as an attorney, and Alvin P. Ho- 
vey received his commission from Gov. Joseph A.Wright as judge. 
His plain, bold signature is typical of the man. The practice of 
having one president and two associate judges was discontinued 
at the time of Judge Hovey's election, and he was the first to sit 
as sole judge and handle the judicial scale. Judge Hovey has 
been a prominent figure in southern Indiana for more than a quar- 
ter of a century. He has been upon the supreme bench, and was 
earnest and enthusiastic in his efforts to crush the Rebellion. He 
is one of the comparatively few civilians who rose to the rank of 
major-general. He resides at his home in Mount Vernon. Olive 
Mason plead for a legal severing of the matrimonial bonds exist- 
ing between her and William McAndress, on the grounds that 
William was enjoying matrimonial relations with Nancy Morris. 
There was the unprecedented number of ninety-five naturaliza- 
tion papers made out during the year 1852. George Grubb con- 
tributed $1 to the seminary fund for altering the mark of a hog 
"with intent" On the opening of court in 1853 H. F. Keiger, 
John L. Evans Henry Wise and H. I. Cawthorn were admitted 
to the bar. David Miley certifies that the seal of his office, re- 
corder, is "a circle surrounding a plow and a sheaf of wheat" 
James Barr was fined $10 for official negligence. Monday, 



in^^iuV OF PIKE COUXTV. oil 

March 5, 1854, Gov. Wriglit's coiniiiission to AVillinui 11 Nil)l;H'k 
was issued. A. P. Hovey had resigned that position. It is now 
forty years since Judge Niblack was admitted to the bar of tiiis 
court, and in all that time he has been continually before the pub- 
lic. He has been on the supreme bench, a member of Congress, 
and is now one of the oldest, most influential and respected mem- 
bers of the supreme court. During a long period of public life 
he has born a character abcne reproach. 

At the March term Jane Haddock brought suit against Joseph 
Harness to compel him tt^ carry out the stipulations of a marriage 
contract, or })ay for the injured affections. It was settled the fol- 
lowing year by the coiu't awarding her $500 damages. About the 
same time Amanda Harbison was fined $(50 for bigamy. Eobert 
Thurman was admitted" to the bar, and Nathaniel Ersher became 
j>rosecuting attorney for the Third District. The following year 
John Clark got a one-year sentence for forgery. A motion for 
new trial and one for arrest of judgment were both overruled. In 
September, 1855, the following attorneys were admitted: William 
H. DeWolfe, W. C. Marion, Austin M.^ Gentry and Theodore F. 
McAlister, ex yrafia for the term. The following year L. Q. 
DeBruler was appointed prosecutor for the September term, and 
John Van Trees, Isaac Moore and J. F. Sanders were admitted. 
The Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland Straight Line Kailroad 
suits began, and were continued till 1803. In 185(5 William 
Smith received a two-year's sentence for counterfeiting, and Lesler 
Wallace received a "verdick'' of three years on two indictments 
for a similar offense. L. Q. DeBuler was again made prosecutor 
in 1857, and N. J. Smith was admitted to the bar. Samuel 
Boyer got a leave of absence to Jeffersonville for two years. 

Ex-Gov. A. G. Porter was admitted in 1858, as was W. Don- 
ahey and John I. Neely. M. F. Bink was prosecutor for the 
term. William L. Hennick, with an alias, was sent to the peni- 
tentiary for eight years for grand larceny ; E. Kinman and Fred- 
erick Jennings each got two years for receiving stolen goods, and 
Franklin Palmer two years for forgery. In 1859 Henry Dickens 
was sent to the penitentiary for one year for larceny, and George 
JBlack received a three-years' sentence for a similar offense. Bal- 
lard Smith succeeded W. E. Niblack on the bench in 1858, and 
he in turn was succeeded by M. F. Burke in 1859. Smith is 



312 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

described as a man of fine intellect and excellent literary tastes, 
and a l:)rilliant and successful practitioner. The fiery eloquence, 
the ready mind, the sterling character, which are characteristic 
of his race — the Irish — were blended in Judge Burke. In 18()1 
John Mitchell and W. Boyer each got a five-years' sentence for 
bui'glary. We submit the following as a reminiscence of the old 
"Straight Linef 

March 2, 1863. 
JohnB. Hanna, Esq., Clerk: 

Please pay to H. W. DeWolf all money in your hands belonging to the 
Evansville, Indianapolis and Cleveland Railway Company, or to Gen. John 
Love, receiver of said Company, and oblige. Yours truly, 

W. E. NiBLACK, Attorney for Receiver. 

In 1865 John Baker received his commission as judge from 
Gov. O. P. Morton. About the same time William Mclntire and 
I, W. B. Moore were admitted to the bar and Warner Johns 
received a sentence to the penitentiary for three years for burg- 
lary, and Hugh Hopkins a $375 fine for assault and battery, with 
intent. G. G. Bailey and John H. Miller were granted permis- 
sion to practice law, and Madison Traylor received a ten-years' sen- 
tence for grand larceny, and Ferdinand Bangert got a five years' 
sentence for a like offense. The grand jury found that the court 
house "is old and worn out, and dilapidated in condition, and cannot 
in cold weather be warmed, and the offices are too small, and the jury 
say on oath that the commissioners have totally failed, neglected, 
refused and still refuse to provide better accommodations." At 
this time John Wilson was indicted for murder, but found "not 
guilty." Simpson McConnell got a $200 fine for assault and bat- 
tery, Moses Deadman a $50 fine, and William Scales was found 
by a jury to owe to the State $62 for the same offense. A com- 
mission was also issued to C. S. Dobbins as prosecutor of the 
Third Judicial Circuit, by O. P. Morton. 

The court in 1867, by jury, found "a gipsy" guilty on two 
counts, for betting on a horse race, and assessed him $5. George 
i^ rgenbright, James P. Brumfield and James Corn got $5 for 
backing their judgments on horse flesh with money. John 
Bundle and James Hart were domiciled two years at Jefferson- 
ville for appropriating other persons' means to their own use. 
Scott Minnis was fined $5 for disturbing a religious meeting, and 
John Yeager threw himself upon the court for a similar offense, 



I' OF PIKE COUNTY. SI 3 

and got $10. Levi Fe ^on was made prosecutor for the 
term, and owing to sickness of Judge Baker, W. C. Adair waa 
appointed iudge pro tern. 

A. ^1 r. nic!i»'\ \\;is assassinated ()]i his way hnnn iroui Otwell.' 
l)ut lu) one w!;. v\ov punished for the crime, as it was never posi- 
tively kiioufi who (lid the deed ; liowever, strong sus[)ici(m ])ointed 
to a certaiu iudiviilual as the autlior of the deed. Eichey was an 
ai-deut temperance worker and labored h.:]-d against the whisky 
interest, and it is supposed some of its votaries committed the 
tleed. 

George Boose was killed a short time before this while alone in 
Ids cabin. The assassin had shot him while sitting before his 
lire. The shot came through a crack in the wall. John Ficklin 
was arrested and tried for the crime, but was finally cleared, but 
the general feeling is that he was guilty. 

This case was tried in the Pike County Court, on a change of 
venue from Gibson, the change having been made on petition of 
the defendant. The plaintiff, Jaliza Embree, was living with the 
family of the defendant, Thomas Hull, who seduced her, and suit 
was brought for damage. The prominence of the defendant 
made the case one of no little interest. He was fined in the sum of 
S2,5()() with costs. The case was hotly contested, and the best 
legal talent enij^loyed. In 1871 there was a contested election 
case between Joseph P. Glezen and J. W. Kichardson for the 
office of county clerk, which was decided in favor of Kichardson. 
Dorus Bowlin was sent to the house of correction, until he should 
attain to the age of twenty years and five months for forgery. 
John Kinder got a two year's sentence for assault and battery, 
with intent. J. C. Shafer and E. P. Richardson were admitted 
to the bar of the Pike County Court in 1S73. Daniel S. Osborn 
and G. O. Wolfin each got a two years' sentence ; the latter for 
inurder in the second degree. During the same year E. A. Ely, 
William H. May, J. E. McCulloch and A. H. Taylor, began prac- 
tice before the same bar. as also did Luther M. DeMott, of White 
('ounty. Illinois. 

Murder Trials. — An exciting murder trial was begun at tlif 
August t(n-m of 1S81, in which Dr. Frederick T. Aust Avas chargec 
with the murder of his brother-indaw, James Humphreys. Th< 
trouble was of a trivial, personal matter, for which Aust waylaic 



•314 HISTORY OF PIKR COUNTY. 

and shot Humphreys. Aust was arrested and tried; the case 
began on June (*>, 1881, and ended on September 27, of the same 
year. The case was hotly contested. A. H. Taylor, assisted by 
W. T. Townsend and J. E. McCuUoch, appeared for the State, 
and E. A. Ely, C. H. Burton, F. B. Posey, J. W. Wilson and 
Gen. James Shackelford, were engaored for the defense. The ver- 
diet was for murder in the first degree, and the jury fixed the 
penalty at hard labor for life. This was the first life sentence 
ever given in the county. Hard upon this case followed the 
ease of the State against Henry Brenton, for the murder of 
George Morton. Brenton was of most excellent family relations, 
but had borne an unsavory reputation for some time. Young 
Brenton assassinated his pal Morton, as is said, to hide crimes for 
which themselves and others were guilty. Morton lived some 
time after he was shot, and clearly identified Brenton as his 
slayer. This case was also bitterly contested by the best legal 
talent ; A. H. Taylor, F. B. Posey and J. W. Wilson were for the 
prosecution, and E. A. Ely, W. F. Townsend for the defense. 
Brenton also received a life sentence. This, as well as the pre- 
ceding, are being can-ied out. The case of Aust was tried before 
Francis AVilson, judge pro fcm, and the case of Brenton before 
Judge O. M. Welborn, in November of the same year. Both the 
above cases occurred at Winslow. A short time after these cases, 
the community was startled by the news that Samuel Heminger 
had killed Dr. Hornbrook, of Union. Hornbrook was accused of 
holding illicit relations with the wife of Heminger, which so 
frenzied him that he deliberately 'shot Hornbrook. The promi- 
nence of the deceased, made the case highly exciting. Heminger 
was quickly arrested, and after a strong defense made by Miller 
& Richardson and J. E. McCulloch, and as earnest a prosecution 
by Taylor, Ely, Townsend, Posey and Nelson, received a twenty- 
one year's sentence to the penitentiary. 

On Friday night about the close of December, 1883, the quiet 
of the citizens of Petersburg was disturbed by the quick discharge 
of two pistol shots, and the news that two had been messengers 
of death to Henry L. Custin, whose body was found near his own 
door, weltering in his life blood. Custin was in the service of 
Mr. C. E. Montgomery, who was believed to be the intended vic- 
tim. Suspicion pointed strongly to Charles Harvey as the author 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV. 



31. 



o£ the deed. He was followed to his home near Alfords, broii<4ht 
to town and had a preliminary trial, and was i)ut in jail to await 
justice by the hands of the enraged people. The jail was broken 
open, Harvey was taken out and marched a short distajice from 
the square, where the solemn "halt!" was called, and he was left 
dangling from a tree, and the chill winds sighed a sad requiem 
over the grave of his victim. Harvey's actions would seem to 
prove that "whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad." 
■ Another recent case of interest was the charge of arson against 
John Turner Wyatt, and a man named Hartley. The feeling was 
so strong against Wyatt, that no attorney of the place would 
take his case. All the leading attorneys were employed on the 
prosecution ; he was however ably defended by Gardner, Taylor and 
Oo-den, of Washington. He received a sixteen years' sentence 
to the penitentiary, and Hartley a shorter term. Notwithstand- 
ing many old and high sounding legal terms were dropped at the 
adoption of the new code, and their places filled by more modern 
terms, yet no one can help but remark the great increase in the 
number of continuances and changes of venue, and demurrers 
entered, and the exceptions and appeals that have been taken 
within the last decade. 

Probate Court. — The first session of probate court was held 
November 3, 1817, and there were present the Hon. Arthur Har- 
bison and Henry Brenton. The first act was to approve the ap- 
pointment of Benjamin Eice as administrator of the estate of 
George Branson made by John Mclntire " in vacation. " The 
second was the appointment of John Johnson and Henry Brenton 
administrators of the estate of James Lindsey. And so on the 
record goes. The name probate implies its jurisdiction. Its 
judges were men gifted more in good sense and judgment than 
in the intricacies of law. Its last judges were James Hillman 
and H. A. Edwards. This court was abolished in 1852 and the 
common pleas court was created in its stead with somewhat sim- 
ilar powers. "It had original jurisdiction of all that class of of- 
fences which did not amount to a felony, except those over which 
justices of the peace had exclusive jurisdiction. State prosecutions 
were instructed by affidavit and information. Under certain restric- 
tions this court had jurisdiction over felonies where the punish- 
ment could not be death, and in no case was the intervention of a 



316 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

grand jury necessary. In all civil cases, except for slander, libel, 
breach of marriage, action on official of any State or county offi- 
cer, or where the title to real estate was involved, this court had 
concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court, where the sum or 
damages due or demanded did not exceed $1,000 exclusive of 
interest and costs, and concurrent jurisdiction with justices of the 
peace, where the sum due or demanded exceeded $50. When the 
court was organized, appeals could be taken from it to the circuit 
court, but that right was afterward abolished, but appeals could 
be taken to the supreme court, and its jurisdiction from time to 
time enlarged. The clerk and sheriff of the county operated in 
the common pleas as well as in the circuit court. The judge of 
this court was ex-officio judge of the court of conciliation. The 
court of conciliation had jurisdiction of cases of action for libel, 
slander, malicious prosecution, assault and battery and false im- 
prisonment, and extended to questions of reconciliation and com- 
promise only. No attorney was allowed to appear for his client 
before the court of conciliation, but the parties were required 
to appear before the judge apart from all other parties, except 
that an infant was required to appear by guardians and a female 
by her husband or friend. This branch of the court was 
abolished in 1867." The court of common pleas was abolished 
in 1873, and the entire business transferred to the circuit coui't 
as it now is. O. M. Welborn is now serving a third term as 
circuit judge, which is sufficient evidence of his popularity. 

The bench and bar of this circuit have been represented by 
men, who have made their mark as commanders in the army, in 
the legislative hall of the State and nation, on the supreme 
bench, and the executive chair of the State ; yet where there 
has been an "Oliver, it is believed there is still a Rowland." 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 31T 



CHAPTER V. 

by prof. z. t. emerson. 

Military History— Revoltjtion a ry Soldiers — Survivors of the 
Mexican War— The Great Rebellion— Opening Scenes— War 
Meetings and Resolutions Adopted— The First Volunteers- 
Sketches OF the Regiments— Recruiting— Interesting J.ocal 
Events— Bounty^ and Relief— The Legion. 

EVERY nation whether savage or civilized justly prides itself 
in its military prowess. It is the stronghold of England, 
the pride of Germany, and the glory of France. The American 
soldiers too rank with any in the world. The history of the troops 
of the different States was hardly known in the various wars in 
which the United States has been engaged until the Civil war of 
1861. No other having attained such stupendous proportions, a 
separate history of each would have been difficult, but now we 
are able to trace the work of each county separately. At least 
two of the early settlers of this county were soldiers of the Revo- 
lution as will be seen by the following : 

Thomas Mead, a Revolutionary soldier, appeared in open court 
and pleaded the following declaration, to wit: 
STATE OF INDIANA. 



Pike County. 

On the fifteenth day of August, A. D. 1832. personally appeared before the 
probate court of the county of Pike, Thomas Mead {alias Maid) resident of Pike 
County and- State of Indiana, aged seventy-eight years the 9th day of last April, 
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Con- 
gress passed June 7th, 1833; That he enlisted in the army of the United States in 
the year 1776 with Capt. William T. Cole and served in the Fourth Regiment of 
the North Carolina line under the following officers: Col. Thomas Polk and 
William Lee Davidson; that he enlisted in Salisbury in the spring and marched 
from thence to Halifax, N. C, in the summer of the same year and in about two 
weeks afterward returned to Salisbury under the command of Capt. Cole on a 
recruiting expedition, where we enlisted sixteen men. He believes Maj. Davidson 
had command of the recruiting district. Lieut. Gillespy and Ensign Hays were at- 
tached to the recruiting party; at the same time Capt. Charles Alexander went 
with a recruiting party to Mecklenburgh; in the fall following we returned to 
Halifax and joined Maj. Davidson's command. He was then by the solicitation 



318 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

of Capt. Nicliohis Longand by the consent of his officers transferred to the quar- 
termaster-general's department as a wagoner; as a wagoner he then made two 
trips to Wilmington and on bis return the lust time was sent or transferred to Gen. 
Ash's brigade as a wagoner to transport the General's baggage to the South; 
that he then was appointed wagon-master and went to Campbelltown, to Augusta 
and from there to Briery Creek and was in the battle of Briery Creek. The 
heavy baggage taken down on the east side of the river was saved, and that taken 
down on the west side of the river was lost, taken and destroyed by the enemy; 
his term of enlistment being for three years, had e.\pired some time previous to 
the battle of Briery Creek, but he still remained with the army not being able to 
procure a discharge; from thence he went to Pusysburgh, he believes, in the 
summer of 1779, where Gen. Ash commanded, anil was there discharged by Col. 
James Thaxtou, who endorsed on his discharge that a year and a half's pay and 
clothing were due him. Col. Thaxton was enabled to do this in consequence of 
a certificate of enlistment in his (Mead's) possession, given him by Capt. Cole at 
the time he enlisted at his request, in order to enable him to guard against a 
practice believed to prevail in the army of enlisting men for a definite period and 
then reporting them as enlisting for during the war. He sent his discbarge to 
Philadelphia by Col. Hunter for the purpose of securing his clothing and pay en- 
dorsed on the back thereof. Col. Hunter stated to him on bis return that all 
that was deficient was a power of attorney in order to enable him to succeed in 
procuring said pay and clothing; that he executed a power of attorney to said 
Hunter and that said Hunter on his return to Congress next year died, and that 
he has not since been able to procure his discharge and certificate. 

Col. Hunter was representative of District 96 of S. C. in Congress. He here- 
by relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present; 
he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State. 

Tiio.MAs Mead. 

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above mentioned 
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. 

M. W. Foster. Judge of Probate. 
STATE OF INDIANA, 



>• ss. 



Pike County. 

On the 13th day of August, A.D., 1832, personally appeared, James Bunter, 
aged sixty-eight, being duly sworn according to law, doth make the following- 
declaration : that he served a third term the same year under Capt. Joseph 
Kuagka and Lieut. Benjamin Logan. They started from Harrodsburgh and 
then went to Bryant's Station, then to Blue Licks, and buried the dead slain in 
the battle of the Blue Licks. He has no documentary evidence, and that he 
knows of persons whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service; 
be has a record "of his age now in his possession which he copied from bis 
father's record. James Brenton. 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 

M. ^V^ FosTEK, Judge of Probate. 

Ill iuldition tt) these Mrs. Fanny Fisher, who is still living, 
draws a pension for the services of her husband in the Bevo- 
I ationary war ; as also did Mrs. Wheatley until a few years since. 
There were two soldiers from this county in the Black Hawk 
war, Fielding Johnson, and Harrison Johnson, who is still living 
in the county. 



HISTORY OF PIKF. COUNTY 



;n' 



For the Mexican war a whole (-ompany was tendered the Go\ 
ernment, but communication with the department was inc'inveni- 
ent and the quota of the State was full before they were received. 
The following succeeded in getting mustered into other compan- 
ies: John Ficklin, John Bilderback, S. Sullivan, Eeuben Long, 
and Jonathan Poe and possibly one or two more. The three last 
named served in the late war and are still living, Sullivan being 
now trustee of Marion Township. 

The Grcai Rebellion. — Over the memorable events that occur- 
red from 1860 to 1865 the feelings and sentiments of the people 
were worked up to the intensest pitch. Some favored war, some 
opposed. The following abridged resolution from the majority re- 
port on the resolution on the "State of the Union" read in the 
State Senate of 1861-62 will illustrate the feelings of the extreme 
anti-war party in the State at that time. The resolution was read 
by Mr. Tarkington: 

Resolved, That the State of Indiana cannot but deplore the sectional mad- 
ness and party prejudice that would suffer the dismemberment of this con- 
federacy; that she takes great pride in declaring to her sister States that her 
Legislature has not been stained by military law orpoisoned by liberty bills; that 
while Indiana is firmly attached to the Union, yet in frankness, she is bound to 
say that the grievances that the people of the South have suffered at the hands of 
the North, and by the election of a sectional president, furnishes them good 
grounds for demanding concessions and new guarantees for the safety of her 
institutions; that she seconds the efforts of the Executive in his efforts to enforce 
the law by civil processes. 

The war party at the same time 

Resolved, That the declaration of secession, peaceable or forcible, now or at 
any other time, is a dangerous heresy, fraught with all the evil consequences of 
civil war and bloodshed, and leading directly to the overthrow of all our free 
institutions. That finally, in the language of the old hero of New Orleans, "The 
Union, it must and shall be preserved." 

The pending events were brought to a culmination, when on 
Friday morning at 4 four o'clock, of April 12, 1861, the first gun 
was opened on Fort Sumter, and sounded around the world as the 
opening of one of the most gigantic wars of history. 

On Sunday morning, April 14, the news reached the capital 
of the State that Fort Sumter had fallen. On the morning of 
the 15th the wires flashed back this message from "Indiana's war 



'■y20 HISTOHV OF PIKE COUNTY. 

E\E( I'TIVK DKr'AK'iMKNT (H' 1m>I\XA, 

Indianapous. April I.">, isc,' 
J'> Abr.thua Liucola. I-'r.'s/.ilenf. of the Uaitfd St'ile-f: 

Oil ht'lialf of the ShiU- of Indiana I toiidcr to you, for liic tlolciisc of .i. 
:'. .lion, aii'l to iii)liol(l llic authority of tlie govfriiiiitMit. teath'tiimtiiil men. 

[Si-»('(11 Ot.ivki: P. Moinox. 

Goeern.nr of lnili,i"i 

Tlie war spirit soeineJ to revivn. and at onee "'like tli;' stm- 
lii;lit, tlio 'war lever" perineatpd every locality, and the -old 
tluij^' at once beeame sacred and was proudly displayed from every 
house." On the call of the President for To.OOO men. no re<^ulai- 
ori^anized body respcuided, as the county was cut t>ff from railroad 
and tele<^ra])liic communication with the de[)artments. but tliere 
were a few men in the Ninth, a number in the Thirteenth Keoi- 
ment; Louis Bolton and five others in Conn)a ny A two in B, and 
two in G; George Sigenhigh and George Miller, both of whoiii 
lived to be mustered out in 1?:^<)5. The Seventeenth Piegiment 
was represented by twenty-seven men from Pike County. The 
men went to Indianapolis as recruits, and were attached to Com- 
pany A. This company was detaclied and formed the Twenty- 
sixth Battery ; Wilders and only a part of those from this county 
rejnained with the regiment. The regiment was organized ;it 
Camp Morton during May, 18()1, and was mustered into the 
United States service on the 12th of June. ISIJl, and left imme- 
diately for the seat of war in the east. It was in various skir- 
mishes in Maryland and West Virginia, including tlie battle of 
Greenbrier; was "transferred to Gen. BuelFs army in Kentucky 
where it arrived on the 30th of November; participated in skir- 
mishes and marches all through Kentucky and Tennessee. Febru- 
ary VI the regiment had orders to mount itself, which it did by 
foraging and pressing horses, and on the ISth of May it was 
armed with the celebrated Spencer rifle, thus making each man 
equal to sixteen of the enemy. The regiment fought a hard bat- 
tle with the enemy at Hooker's Gap. on the "idth of June, and 
captured 75 prisoners and 125 stand of arms, losing itself 4S 
killed and wounded. It was engaged almost constantly with 
the cavalry of the enemy during Rosecrans' advance, and 
particii)ated in the bloody battle of Chickamauga on the lUtli 
and 2(>tli of September. They were engaged in s.jouting and 
guarding communications, and threatening these of the ene- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUxNTV. 321 

my during the siege of Chattanooga, and assisted Burnside at 
Knoxville. In January, 1S()4, a majority of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans, and on the 22d of tlie montli left for Indian- 
apolis, where they arrived on the 24th. They were addressed 
there by Gov. Morton and CcjI. Wilder. They were remounted 
while in Indiana, and on the 2d of April left Indianapolis by rail 
for Louisville; camped there till the 18th, and then started for 
Nashville on horsel)aek, where they arrived on the 25th, a dis- 
tance of ISP) miles. They left Nashville on the next day, and 
joined Sherman's army on the 10th of May. The regiment was 
actively engaged during the entire Atlanta campaign. Later it 
was remounted, and was with Gen. "Wilson on his raid through 
Alabama and Georgia. On the 1st of April, 18()5, the regiment 
fought with Wheeler and Roddy, twenty-nine miles from Selma, 
and captured 100 prisoners and 1 gun, sustaining a loss of 
8 killed, 11 wounded and 5 missing. On the 2d of the same 
month the Seventeenth was in the engagement at Selma, and 
captured 4 guns and 300 prisoners. Out of 421 engaged, the 
regiment lost 12 killed and SO wounded. On the 20tli, at Macon, 
the regiment deceived the enemy as to their number, and the 
city surrendered, with Gens. Howell, Cobb, McCall, Mercer and 
G. W. Smith, and 3,000 prisoners, 5 stands of colors, GO pieces 
of artillery, and 3,000 small arms. During its time of service 
the Seventeenth marched over 4,000 miles, captured over 5,000 
prisoners, more than 6,000 stands of small arms, 70 pieces of artil- 
lery, and 11 stands of colors. All this was done with a loss of 3 
officers and 66 men killed, and 13 officers and 176 men wounded, 
making a total loss of 258. 

Twenty -fourfh Regimeuf .--It was noAv clear that the war would 
go on, and that it v.ould be no child's play matter, so the people 
set themselves to work to raise their portion of the 200,000 
call. Old men bending with age, men in the strength of 
manhood, matrons and beautiful maidens, all with one purpose 
went to work in earnest. War was the talk at the fireside, at 
church, at the shop, at the place of business. War meetings were 
held in the various townships, and appeals of fiery eloquence were 
made by local speakers and patriotic songs sung by the ladies. 
At Winslow a war meeting was held, and among other speakers 
was the Rev. Agee, who had come from Tennessee with his fam- 



322 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

ily. After an earnest appeal, he said: "I am too old for the serv- 
ice, this boy is too young, but my other boy I consecrate for tlie 
good of my country." The meeting and community were so elec- 
trified that not only one, but two full companies were soon organ- 
ized. They were intended for the Seventeenth, but that regiment 
being ready before these companies were full, quarters were fur- 
nished them in Morgan's Avarehouse, where they were cheerfully 
fed by the patriotic peoj)le of the town and vicinity until com- 
munication should be had with the authorities as to what dispo- 
sition should be made of them. When orders were received they 
were taken to Vincennes and formed a part of the Twenty-fourth. 

This regiment was organized and mustered into the service 
July 31, 1861. Alvin P. Hovey was first chosen colonel ; on his 
promotion, AVilliam T. Spicely was made colonel. He, however, had 
been previously promoted from a major to a lieutenant-colonelcy, 
Other lieutenant-colonels were John Guber, killed at Shiloh, Kicli- 
ard F. Baxter and John F. Grill. 

Simeon R. Henderson, of Petersburg, was adjutant of the 
regiment from May 1, 1861 to November 18, 1864, and William 
H. Posey was for a time quartermaster. The company officers 
of Company "E," were Samuel R. Morgan, John E. Phillips, F. 
M. Downey, Thomas J. Reed, and John M. Lemon, captains; 
John E. Phillips, S. D. Bateman, T. J. Reed, John M. Lemon, 
and William S. McGowan, first lieutenants; John T. Deweese. 
G. D. Bateman, T. J. Reed, and John M. Lemon, second lieu- 
tenants. The non-commissioned officers of the company were as 
follows: First sergeant, George D. Bateman; other sergeants 
were J. H. Scott, W. H. Posey, afterward quartermaster, S. R. 
Henderson, F. M. Downey. Corporals, J. M. Rose, William H. 
Kelley, J. M. Lemon, Aaron Grider, George Hopkins, David 
Power, William Lowerlass and T. J. Reed. John Coursey and 
John W. Rose were musicians, and John Haddock, wagoner. 
The company numbered ninety-eight men, beside commissioned 
officers, and the recruits that were received while in the service. 
The company lost James A. Woods, S. C. Harris, and Joel Han- 
nah, killed in battle; and John Elliott, John Bredenbaugh, Joe 
Collins, W. C. Cooper, George Hopkins, William Howard, H. H. 
McCain, Sam McBride, Abram Pea, F. A. Stanford, Calvin Reese, 
Thomas Turner, E. B. Woods, Lindsey Taylor, Joseph K. Brown, 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 323 

Harrison Harberson, Thomas Johnson, and Lewis McGoAvan, died 
from sickness or wounds. Company H consisted of ninety- 
eight enlisted men and twenty recruits. The company officers 
were William S. Merrick and J. B. Hutchins, captains; first, 
lieutenants, J. B. Hutchins, J. T. Jones and George E. Mer- 
chant; second lieutenants, J. T. Jones, and Thaddeus Withers. 
Kasper Cohlhepp was killed at Shiloh, and Thomas Bryant mor- 
tally wounded; L. De LaMater, N, T. Evans, William Gamble, 
James Hancock, Burwell Hardin, Thomas Tully, and Levi 
Stephens gave up their lives at Champion Hills. The following 
died of disease or wounds : George F. Argenbright, W. C. Bren- 
ton, Bardine Casender, Thomas Harbison, H. H. Hedge, Zach. 
Hedge, Allen Ehodes, J. B. Brown, Henry Tickling, John Over- 
ton, William Overton, W. S. Seaborn, J. W. Evans, Arthur 
Hutchins, George Vickers, Elisha Wheatley, James Fisher, C. G. 
Hickman, R. J. Stone, William Stroud, and others who doubtless 
ended their lives in rebel prisons. Of this company, E. H. Tray- 
lor was first sergeant, and George E. Merchant, T. C. Withers, 
E. S. Crow, and L. De LaMater were sergeants. 

On the 19th of August, 1861, the regiment left Vincennes for 
the seat of war in Missouri, and was placed under command of Gen, 
Fremont, doing duty in the interior of the*State until February,, 
1862, when it was ordered to reinforce the army under Gen. 
Grant, but did not arrive at Paducah until one day after the sur- 
render of Fort Donelson. The regiment was with Grant at the 
bloody battle of Shiloh, in which Kasper Cohlhepp was killed and 
Thomas Bryant mortally wounded, including the gallant Maj. 
Gerber. On May 14, 1862, Maj. Spicely was made colonel of 
the regiment. Col. Hovey having been made brigadier -general. 
The regiment participated in the slow and laborious siege of 
Corinth under Halleck, until its evacuation in June, and was 
then transferred to Memphis ; in July it was moved to Helena, 
Ark., where it remained during the fall and winter, doing 
guard and other duty. In the spring of 1863 it was placed in 
Hovey's division of the Thirteenth Corps of Grant's army; 
then actively engaged in the siege of Vicksburg. This reg- 
iment was with Grant in the celebrated march around Vicks- 
burg, in the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hills. In the 
desperate fighting at the latter place. Company H. alone lost six 



324 , HISTORY OF tike county. 

men killed. During the siege the regiment was in the trenches 
from May 19 to July 4. 

After the capitulation the regiment was carried by water to 
New Orleans. In the fall of 1803, the regiment did duty at New 
Iberia, and later at Algiers near New Orleans" when on the 1st 
of January, 18(34. the regiment "veteranized," and in a short 
time returned home on furlough. During the year 1804, the 
regiment did duty at various points in Louisiana, and while sta- 
tioned at Morganza in December was consolidated with the Sixty- 
seventh, a new organization, but still retained the original name. 
In January, 1805, it was transferred to Barrancas, Fla., and there 
remained until the movement against Mobile was begun in April, 
under Gen. Canby. It took part in the battles near Blakely, and 
by assault was the first to plant its colors on the works of the 
enemy. After the defeat of the enemy the regiment was sent 
first to Selma, Ala., and thence transferred to Galveston, Tex. 
Here, July 10, it was reorganized as a battalion of five compa- 
nies. The time of the older soldiers having expired they were 
mustered out of the service and sent home, and received a public 
reception at Indianapolis, August 4, 1805. The number of men 
and officers returned was 310. 

Tweniy-Sevcnih Band. — The regiment to which this band be- 
longed was organized at Indianapolis, August 30, 1801, and was 
mustered into the service on the 12th of September, and on the 
15th started for Washington City, and in a short time was trans- 
ferred to Banks' army in the Shenandoah. It remained in win- 
ter quarters at Camp Halleck, near Frederick, Md., from whence 
it moved in March, 1802, across the Potomac into the Shenan- 
doah valley. It joined in the pursuit of Jackson's army after his 
defeat at Winchester Heights, and was engaged at the battle of 
Front Royal, on the 23d of May, and formed a part of the column 
that made the famous retreat from Strasburg to Winchester, and 
on the 25th was in the furious battle in which the brigade to which 
the Twenty-seventh belonged, withstood the assault of twenty- 
eight rebel regiments for three hours and a half and repulsed 
them. It assisted in an attempt to check a flank movement on 
the right, but the rebels had massed in such force that it was 
compelled to fall back into the town, fighting the enemy in the 
public streets. The regiment afterward crossed the Potomac at 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 325 

AVilliamspoit, the 2C)tli of May. The Government finding tliat 
regimental bands were not as effective in subduing rebels as 
guns, the boys were soon after discharged. John Q. Trafzer was 
principal musician. The boys returned home, but many of them 
afterward joined othSr regiments and did effective service. 

In the fall of 1861, the fires of patriotism were burning 
warmer than ever, and old Pike was doing her duty nobly and her 
sturdy yeomanry were enlisting to maintain the honor of the 
"old flag." Col. James Shanklin of Evansville, W. T. B. Mcln- 
tire and Dr. A. E. Byrer were particularly active in soliciting vol- 
unteers. 

Nearly two whole companies were raised but only one was 
mustered as a company with Forty-second. James G. Jones 
William T. B. Mclntire and Gideon K. Kellams, were colonels of 
the regiment; Charles Denby, James G. Shankles, W. T. B. 
Mclntire, Gideon R. Kellams and William M. Cockrum were 
lieutenant-colonels in the order named. There were Majs. Shanklin, 
Mclntire, French, Kellams and Scammahorn. The men were en- 
listed and allowed to remain at home until the company was full 
and then they were taken to Princeton in carriages by their friends 
and then by train to Evansville. The company offic^vs were 
AV. T. B. Mclntire and John Burch, captains; A. R. Byrer, Hugh 
Penner, William Davidson and J. B. T. Dearing, first lieutenants ; 
Huirh Penner, John Burch, William F. Cakbvell and William 
Allison, second lieutenants. The company originally consisted 
of ninety-seven enlisted men and two regimental officers, and re- 
ceived at different times 105 recruits, besides there were a larg 
number of recruits in Company G. The regiment was organized 
at Evansville, October 9, and soon after left for the seat of war, 
passing Henderson. Calhoun, Owensboro, thence to Nashville, 
and Huntsville, back to Nashville and Louisville, and then joined 
in the pursuit of Bragg, fought in the battle of Perryville, losing 
H'A) in killed, wounded and missing, Miles C. Barret being one 
of the killed. The regiment Avent with Eosecrans' army to Nash- 
ville thence to Murfreesboro, took part in that bloody battle on 
December 31, 1802, and January 2, 1803, losing 17 killed and 87 
wounded. It then went into camp until June 24:, when Eose- 
crans began his advance upon Chattanooga. On September 19 
and 20, it was engaged in the terrible struggle at Chickamauga, 



326 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

the river of death, k)siug Sldlletl. oo wounded and '3'1 missin<j^ — 
1)8 ill all. 

Among the badly wounded was Col. Cockrum, who was ca[)- 
tured but lived to be mustered out with the regiment. In Janu- 
ary, 18() K the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, returnetl liome on 
furlough, was welcomed by Morton in behalf of the State, and 
in March returned to the field, engaged in the Atlanta campaign, 
losing 103 in killed, wounded and missing. At Six Mile Range 
near Allatoona the regiment was on picket duty, within fifty yards 
of the enemy, seven days and nights without relief. 

The regiment was in the pursuit of Hood, the "march to the 
sea," through the Carolinas, losing ten men, passed from Golds - 
boro to Richmond on to Washington, thence to Louisville, where 
July 21, it was mustered out and left for Indianapolis, and on the 
25th was given a public reception at which Gen. Sherman was 
present. During its term of service the regiment was engaged 
in 20 battles and lost 86 killed on the field, 443 wounded and 100 
prisoners — 629 in all. When mustered out the regiment num- 
bered 846 men. 

Opinion of the Reporter's Correspondence. — The following 
earnest appeal appeared in The Reporter of August 13, 1861: 

"This may be said to be 'a time that tries men's souls'' — 
rebels and traitors conspire to destroy this once happy, peaceful 
and heaven favored republic and to establish anarchy and despot- 
ism on its ruins. . They have combined all their energies and 
schemes to subvert the national Government thiat has ever blessed 
them, a flag that has ever protected them and a people that has 
never wronged them. They have raised their unholy hands ta 
^^>ull down and destroy the tree of liberty that was planted by our 
pilgrim fathers and nurtured by the blood of our Revolutionary 
sires. And whilst these ungodly rebels and perjured traitors are 
moving earth and hell for the accomplishment of their unholy 
purposes and damnable designs, all true men stand ready to sustain 
the officers of the Government to put down this accursed rebellion. 
It is true that all patriotic citizens are^ not expected or required 
to enter the field of blood, but there is no neutrality in this con- 
test. They who are not for their country openly and uncondi- 
tionally are against it. * * * * The man that shows no evi- 
dence of concern for the success of our arms, who hangs his head 



HISTOHY OF PIKE COUNTY. o27 

like a bull-rusli at the Jefeat of rebels and never looks olieerfnl 
when our arms are successful, talks of defeat with indiffer- 
ence, that man, rest assured, is a black-hearted traitor. And 
strange as it may appear, w^e have a few such individuals among 
us. Let such be watched with jealous eye. let all loyal citi- 
zens withdraw from such an one their custom, patronage and 
social intercourse — let the mark of Cain fall and fasten upon 
his visage, that his guilt may be manifest to all — let the ghosts 
of Judas and Arnold haunt him in his midnight slumber and 
attend him as his destroying angel as he wanders to and fro a 
guilty fugitive. Ah, let Satan blush and devils bewail the fact. 
that there are men viler, blacker and more hell-deserving than 
themselves." Q- * * =^ * * 

The Fifiy-eighih Regimenf. — For the Fifty-eighth Kegiment 
Pike County furnished two whole companies — G and I — and there 
were men of this county in every company of the regiment except 
one or two. The company officers of G were W. H. Donahey, 
Nathan Evans and J. E. Chappell, captains; S. H. Spillman, Joseph 
Grant, Nathan Evans, K. P. Craft, J. E. Chappell and Eobert 
Cromwell, first lieutenants; George Labanee, Sasser Sullivan, J. 
S. Ewing, J. E. Chappell, Eobert Cromwell and J. W. Simpson, 
second lieutenants. Of I were Jackson M. Kinman and William 
E. Chappell, captains ; the first lieutenants were W. E. Chappell, 
Quincy A. Harper and T. J. Smith; second lieutenants, L. E. 
Hargrave, E. A. Ward and M. S. Chappell. Capt. Donahey, of 
G, resigned, and Evans succeeded him till March, 18G5, when 
Chappell remained with the company. Lieuts. Grant and Sul- 
livan were dismissed in 1862. G mustered at first 83 enlisted 
men, and received 73 recruits. Company I had originally 85 
men, and received 76 recruits. Of 11 officers but 4 were dis- 
charged with the company — 3 had died, and the others were dis- 
charged. Twenty-seven privates died of disease and 3 were killed ; 
80 non-commissioned officers and privates were discharged for vari- 
ous causes, and 6 deserted. The regiment was organized at 
Princeton in October under Col. H. M. Carr. It joined Buell's 
forces at Louisville, passed slowly through Kentucky during the 
winter, arrived at Nashville in March, reached Shiloh Monday 
evening after the fight of April 6 and 7, joined in the siege of 
Corinth till its capture, returned to Louisville, passing through 



328 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

northern Alabama, Shelby ville, Tenn., Dechard, Nashville, and 
joined in the pursuit of Bragg from Louisville ; had a slight skir- 
mish at Lavergne; fought two days at the battle of Stone River, 
losing 110 men, 18 of whom were killed. It was in the brig- 
ade that first entered Chattanooga; fought through the entire 
battle of Chickamauga, losing 171 men out of 400 engaged — vol- 
umes for its bravery. It scaled Mission Ridge on November 23. 
in front of 18 guns, and lost G6 men. It immediately start- 
ed for Knoxville to assist in relieving Burnside. After the 
siege was raised it encamped among the hills of east Tennessee ; 
fed on scanty rations, and on January 24 re-enlisted an^ returned 
home on furlough. In April was assigned to the engineer de- 
partment. In October 170 veterans of the Tenth were assigned 
to the Fifty-eighth. They did all the bridging for Slierman 
during the Atlanta campaign ; was assigned to Slocum's command 
in the "march to the sea," bridging the Savannah, 3,000 feet in 
width. In December, 1864, the non-veterans returned home. At 
Sister's Ferry, in February, 1865, they bridged the Savannah, 
working six days and nights in water from two to four feet deep. 
They made in the campaign over 1(),000 feet of bridges. After the 
surrender they went with the army to Washington, bridging riv- 
ers as they went, and were in the grand review. They arrived in 
Louisville, July 25, where they were mustered out. They were 
given a reception at Indianapolis on the 27th. The regiment lost 
in battle and by disease 265 men. (War presents comic as well as 
tragic pictures. The Fifty-eighth had just left Princeton after 
having received the blessings of friends and a New Testament 
from the hands of the Rev. McMasters; the train had just left 
the station ; friends were there ; a rustic lass was weeping ; a sym- 
pathetic individual interposed to know the cause. Between her 
sobs she said: "The boys are all gone to war." "But there are 
plenty left." "Yes," said she, "but they are not worth a durn.") 
The next troops for the service from Pike were Company G, 
of the Sixty-fifth. This was raised under the July call of 1862. 
The company officers of the company were J. M. Hammond, J. H. 
Keys and S. K. Leavitt, captains; first lieutenants. J. H. Bass, 
Miles Chambers, R. K. Davidson and Jacob ]\[ At((^; stnond 
lieutenants, N. L. Critser, Thomas Hornbrook, C E i"i -ion and 
George W. Parker; A. R. Byers was first assistuiu. tlKi; -urgeon. 



HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY. 329 

Tlie company had eighty-one enlisted men, and received twenty- 
one recruits. Of the officers Leavitt, McAtee and Parker only 
were mustered out with the regiment, and only sixty out of the 
one hundred and one privates. Of these John Alkaline and E. W. 
Frederick were killed in battle. Jacob Simpson, Lewis Brumfield, 
James Butler, James J. Conrad, John Connett, Henry Dorset, 
Harrison Dunning, David Denney, Charles C. Fowler, Eichard 
Kinman, E. F. Meek, J. A. Steele, W. H. Tooley and B. F. 
Shaver died in the service, and George H. Sills, William Masters 
and Henry Hillman were starved in prison. The regiment was 
mustered on the 18th and 20th of August, with John W. Foster 
as colonel. The regiment first went to Henderson to guard 
against guerillas ; on the 27th embarked for Green River, disem- 
barked at Ashbyville, marched all night and attacked Adam 
Johnson's rebel regiment, with loss to the enemy; captured Madi- 
sonville, and the companies were distributed in different parts of 
the State. At Glasgow, the regiment was attached to Graham's 
brigade of cavalry, and in April was mounted by order of Gen. 
Burnside. After a few skirmishes, it was ordered to east Ten- 
nessee, being among the first troops to arrive there. It made a 
raid of 110 miles above Knoxville, on the 20th of September; 
fought the enemy at Tellieo on the 22d ; again at Bluntsville 
losing 13 men, John Alkaline being killed; and again at Rhea- 
town on the 11th of October; and on the 15th at Bristol. On the 
1st of December, at Walker's Ford, it lost 12 men. The regi- 
ment had a fight with Longstreet's infantry at Bean Station on 
December 14:th, losing 17 men; the next day at Powder Spring 
Gap, 14. men were lost ; again the same day at Skagg's Mills, 3 
were lost; at Dandridge, on thel7th, 1 man was mortally wounded. 
On the 21st of April, 1869, the regiment was dismounted and 
assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division and Twenty- 
third Army Corps, participated in the engagement in the Atlanta 
campaign and pursuit of Hood, losing 39 men in all. It was at 
Columbia, Franklin and at Nashville. In . January it was trans- 
ferred to Alexandria, Va. ; thence to near Wilmington ; was en- 
gaged at Fort Anderson and other minor points.. After the sur- 
render of Johnson, the regiment was mustered out June 22, 1865. 
Soon it returned to Indianapolis and was discharged. The regi- 
ment lost during its term of service, 26 killed, 86 wounded and 



380 HISTORY OF PIKl- COUNTY. 

ni prisoners. The next organizetl Ixxly of troops for the war 
from Pike were those of Company H, of the Eightieth. 

This com[>any was organized under the July call of 1862. 
Sasser Sullivan, an old soldier of the Mexican war, also a volun- 
teer before this time in tho war of the Eebellion, was, to a great 
extent, instrumental in raising this company. It was almost 
entirely enlisted at Winslow. The men were from that place and 
vicinity. The commissioned officers at first were W. H. H. Joy, 
captain; J. J. Collins, first lieutenant; and James F. Piuark, sec- 
ond lieutenani. On the resignation of Capt. Ivy, the office was 
tendered James S. Epperson, of Company E, but declined, and 
was then given to Joseph P. Glezen. Lieut. Collins resigned ir- 
March, 18()3, and J. P. Glezen was made captain and then second 
lieutenant; Q. C. Asliby was made first lieutenant, but was mus- 
tered out May 15, 18()5, fi-om the loss of a leg. The sergeants be- 
sides those whose names have been mentioned in connection 
A\'ith commissions, were George C. Dearing, M. M. Frambles 
and Willis Brewster. The company consisted of 101 enlisted 
men and a full line of commissioned officers. The regi- 
ment was rendezvoused at Princeton in August and September of 
1862, and left camp on September Stli; was first taken to 
Covington, Ky., and then to Louisville, and placed in Bueirs 
army to oppose the threatened attack of Bragg. Just one month 
after leaving Princeton, the regiment fought in the battle of Per- 
ryville, in Avhich Nathan Beadles, of Company H, was killed 
and Milton Spag'gins mortally wounded. The regiment lost in 
the engagement 150 men and officers. After Bragg had 
left Kentucky, the regiment remained doing guard duty or chas- 
ing Morgan till August 18, 1863, when, with Burnside's 
army, it passed through Cumberland Gap into east Tennessee ; 
was at the siege of Knoxville; at the battle of Kingston and 
Mossy Creek, and in the spring of 1864, forjned a part of Sher- 
man's army, under Gen. Schofield. It was at Resaca, Kenesaw, 
Peach Tree Creek, and the fights about Atlanta, sustain- 
ing a loss of 175 in killed and wounded; then joined in 
the pursuit of Hood until that was abandoned; then was de- 
tached with the Twenty-third Corps as a part of Thomas' 
army. On tlie 80tli of November, it was at the desperately 
fou<j;;lit battle of Franklin, and again on the 15th and 16th of 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 331 

December at Nashville. After the annihilation of Hood's army, 
it was transferred by rail and water to North Carolina, was con- 
spicuous at Fort Anderson, took part in the campaigns against 
Wilmington, Kingston, Goldsboro and Raleigh. Three hundred 
and twenty of the regiment were present for discharge, and a 
reception at State House Grove given by Martin, Hovey and 
others. During its term of service, the regiment sustained a loss 
of 325 men and ofl&cers killed and wounded, and 2 prisoners, 
and traveled 7,245 miles, of which nearly 4,000 were on foot. 

The quota of Indiana under calls of the President for July 7 
and August 5, each for 300,000 men was 42,500, but was filled 
by volunteers, except a fraction over 6,000 which was to be filled by 
a general draft on the 6th of October; Accordingly, prepara- 
tions were made for that event. Henry B. Custin was appointed 
draft commissioner; R, Hanel, marshal, and John W. Posey, 
surgeon. The enrolling officer presented the following statement 
on September 19, 1862, for the county: Total militia, 1,386; 
volunteers in the service, 891; number subject to draft, 1,157. 
Volunteering had continued up to the time of the draft, so that 
there was a deficiency in but one township, Lockhart, of eleven 
men. Enrolling board for the First District, to which Pike then 
belonged were; Provost Marshal Blythe Hynes, succeeded in 
May, 1864, by C. K. Drew, and he by James W. Hartman in 
August, and in November, Alvah Johnson received the office; 
William G. Ralston was surgeon. Under the call of October, 
1863, the quota of the State was 18,597, and of the county 118, but 
owing to the energetic efforts of friends to the cause the number 
was furnished, the men going to the various old regiments 
already in the field and were incorporated with them. 

Indiana Legion. — Under orders of the governor, the State 
was divided into districts for military purposes, the men being 
formed into companies, regiments and brigades, ready to be called 
in case of invasion as was almost continually threatened. There 
were two companies organized in the county, one the Petersburg . 
Guards, August 7, 1862, and the Jefferson Home Guards, August 
12, 1862. These, however, were never called into service. 

One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regiment. — In October, 1863, 
the President issued a call for 300,000 men, and the first organ- 
ized body under the call fui-nished by the county was Company 



332 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

F, of tlie Tenth Cavalry (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regi- 
ment). Tlie ofiicers of the company were: A. H. Alexander, cap- 
tain; E. F. Littlepage, first lieutenant, and William L. Shaw, 
Lemuel L. Kelso, second lieutenants. The company mustered 
111 men and received 1 recruit. The Tenth was recruited 
in the fall and winter of 18(33, but was not mustered into 
.the service until January H, 18G4:. The men rendezvoused 
at Vincennes and Columbus. The regiment did not leave 
the State till May 3, 1864. They went dismounted and were 
stationed at Pulaski, Tenn., and Decatur, Ala., guarding the 
Northern Alabama Railroad during the Atlanta campaign. They 
had several skirmishes with the rebels under Eeddy, Wheeler and 
Forrest. At Pulaski, on September 28, in an eiigagement with 
Wheeler, the regiment lost 50 men. A detachment under Mayor 
Williamson fought Hood's forces at Decatur four days and 
lost, 4 killed and 8 wounded. A portion of the regiment under 
Col. Gresham fought at Nashville, Little Harpeth, Reynold's 
Hill and Sugar Creek, and lost, 8 killed, 43 wounded, and 75 cap- 
tured. The regiment in th ese various engagements captured 4 colors, 
300 prisoners and their arms from the enemy. In December and Jan- 
uary Williamson's detachment fought at Flint River, Lidian Creek, 
Courtland and Mount Hope, and captured from the enemy 10 
pieces of artillery, 130 men, 130 wagons, and 300 mules. In 
February, 1865, the detachments were reunited and sent down 
the Mississippi to New Orleans, thence to Mobile and assisted in 
its capture. The Tenth proceeded to Eufaula and Montgomery, 
Ala., thence to Columbus and Vicksburg, Miss., and arrived at 
the latter place in July. The regiment did guard-duty the re- 
maining portion of its time. In April, the regiment lost 38 
men in the explosion of the "Sultana," and in May, 1867, 5 
killed and 75 wounded in a collision on the Louisville & Nash- 
ville Railroad. The Tenth was mustered out on 31st of Au- 
gust, 1865, arrived in Indianapolis on the 5th of September, with* 
28 ofl&cers and 519 men for discharge, and was honored with a 
dinner and reception. 

The heavy drain on the country in men and money, the tre- 
mendous tension to which the minds had been held so long, were 
well calculated to cool the ardor of the friends of the Administra- 
tion and embolden its enemies, and it had some enemies in every 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 



83S 



portion of the State : but be it said to the credit of Pike County, 
there was little outspoken disloyalty and barring one possible 
exception there were no overt acts. The fires of patriotism burned 
anew, the songs and blessings of patriotic women, the speeches 
of brave men who had been to the front and made bare their 
breasts to the storm of battle, and had endured the hardships of 
camp life, or told how their comrades had rotted with loathsome 
diseases or starved in rebel hells, as they showed an empty sleeve 
or leaned upon crutches, told in burning words the country's 
peril, and cried out in thunder tones, the Macedonian call, "come 
over and help us." The aggregate of the President's calls of all 
classes, of February 1, March 14, April *23 and July 18, 1864, 
amounted to 983,000 men. Old soldiers were furloughed home, 
recruiting officers visited every precinct in the county and State, 
recruiting became quite brisk and nearly all of the old regiments 
tilled their much depleted ranks. For the coming draft, and 
other needs of the Government, the following changes had taken 
place in the offices of the county: P. C. Hammond had succeeded 
H. B. Custin as draft commissioner; Goodlet Morgan had taken 
the place of R. Harrell as marshal, and Harrell had become 
assistant revenue collector. To the energy and efficiency of these 
officers does the county owe a great deal for her splendid showing 
in sending forth so many men. The following statement shows 
the condition of the county by townships, for the year 1864, ex- 
cept the call of December: 



Townships. 



Washington 

Madison 

Monroe 

Jefferson. . . 

Marion 

Patoka 

Clay 

Logan 

Lockhart. . . 



i 


■« >, 


X?5 


f-. 




t 














S3 




^-n 


as 


o« 


a 


^2 


2« 


u 


F 


H£ 


1 


256 


111 


170 




170 




67 


38 


34 




84 




148 


51 


58 


5 


68 


1 


273 


82 


110 


28 


183 




111 


27 


40 


11 


51 


6 ! 


144 


51 


66 




66 





78 


29 


35 




35 




102 


18 


39 


18 


57 




1 157 


34 


66 


26 


93 





One Hundred and Fortij-Third Regiment. — Under the final 
call for troops of December 19, 1864, one company, I, was raised 
in this county. The officers were as follows: Ira J. Burch, ca]>- 



334 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 



'tain; Benjamin F. Laswell, first lieutenant, and Willis M. Cole- 
man. William E. Haynes, second lieutenants. This regiment 
was mustered into the service on February 21, 1865, at Indian- 
apolis, under Col. John F. Grill, and left for Nashville on the 
24th. It went to Murfeesboro and remained till May, doing 
guard duty, till it was sent to Tullahoma, thence to Nashville, 
thence to Clarksville, after which a portion went to Fort Donelson. 
The regiment was soon after brought together at Nashville and 
mustered out on 21st of October, 1865. It arrived at Indian- 
apolis with thirty officers and 691 men, was publicly received and 
mustered out. 



The following is 


the 


quota of Pike for the last call 


: 






Townships. 


ll 
"1 


§1 


-4 
-1 


Quota and 
Deficiency. 

New 
Recruits. 


a 

1 
> 


f 


fit 
Pi 


i 

8 








"3. 
1 


Washington 


256 
67 

135 

171 
81 

141 
70 
69 

106 




46 




1 






1 


1 








-17 


Madison 














Monroe 


15 
15 
18 

4 

"12' 
18 


.... 


15 

15 

18 

4 






1 


1 

15 
5 
4 


1 

15 
5 

4 






14 






15 










Marion. . . . 




5 






13 




Patoka 


4 










Clav 












1 




12 
18 






10 
6 


10 
6 


10 
5 






2 

12 




Lockhart 








1 





Not counting the number who went irregularly, and leaving out 
the One Hundred and Fifty-second and the Thirty-sixth Battery 
there is a showing for the county of 1,763 men being a surplus over 
all calls of forty-eight men. This is a splendid showing for the 
county and well illustrates her patriotism and self-sacrifices for the 
cause. The roll of honor of the dead, is long but their memory is 
not forgotten. 

Aid to Soldiers and their Families. — In July, 1861, the 
county commissioners ordered the township trustees to supply 
widows, children or wives of volunteer soldiers with supplies at 
the rate of 75 cents for each head of family, 40 cents for each 
child under ten years of age. This, with some little variations, 
sometimes more liberal, sometimes less so, continued to the close 
o^ the war. In any case where the trustee failed to do his duty 
in this regard, other parties were appointed to do the work. The 
following shows the amount of aid furnished by the county and 
townships, as far as reported: 



HISTORY OF PIKC COUNTY. 335 

IIOINTV. BELIEF. 

Pike County 29.W9.24 13.803.36 

Jefferson Town.-^hip 4,800.00 

Patoka Township 1 ,600.00 

All the Townships 3.-).899.24 15.000.00 

Total 64,702.80 

The above does not include the vast number of boxes of deli- 
oaeies and other supplies furnished by private enterprises. 

Size of Itidiana Soldii'r.^.- -The following remark, although 
seemingly a strange one, is made by Dr. B. A. Gould, an eminent 
statistician, on the measurement of 118.254: Indiana soldiers: 
•' One thing Avill certainly interest }'ou — that it is evident from 
our statistics that the I]i<liana men are the tallest of all natives of 
the United States, and tliese latter the tallest of all civilized coun- 
tries." 



CHAPTER VI. 

T'lMPLETE HlSTOIlV OF THE TOWNS AKD VILLAGES OF THE COUNTY— 

Alexandiua—Petersbuug—.Strndal—Pikeville— Union— WiNS- 
Low— IIos:mer— Pleas ANT ville—IIighbanks—Alfords— Algiers 
City— A KCADi a—August A— Arthur— Otwell. 

THE earliest record of a town in Pike County is that of Alex- 
andria. About IS 15 Hosea Smith laid off a town at White 
Oak Springs and gave it the above name. It would undoubtedly 
have been chosen as the county seat had he been willing to donate 
the land; but this he refused to do, and the town had its exist- 
ence only on paper. 

The history of Petersburg begins with the appointment of 
five commissioners to select a seat of justice for Pike County. 
At the first meeting of the county commissioners in 1817, tliese 
five ''good and lawful men" made their report. They seem to 
have expected that their selection would not be satisfactory to all 
the people of the county, and so give at considerable length the 
reasons for their choice. We give the report in full : 

To the Honorable County Commi.iiioaers of Pike Count//, State of Indiana: 

The umlerslgned Commissioners, appointed by an Act of the General Assem- 
bly of the State of Indiana, entitled An Act for the formation of a new county 
out of the Counties of Knox, Perry and Gibson, approved December twenty- 
first, eighteen hundred and sixteen, for the purpose of fixing the seat of justice 



336 HISTORY OF pike county. 

in said county of Pike, consistent and conformably to the Act of the General 
Assembly of the Territory, entitled An Act for the fixing of the seats of justice 
in all new Counties hereinafter to be laid off, approved March 3d, 1813, beg 
leave to report that they have chosen and fixed the seat of justice on a donation 
of land made to the county by Peter Brenton, Henry Miley, Sr., Henry Miley, 
Jr., and John Coonrod, containing one hundred and twelve acres, situate and 
lying north of the base line, in town one, to be taken off of sections twenty-two, 
twenty six and twenty-seven, agreeable and consistent with the plat and bond of 
the said Peter Brenton, Henry Miley, Sr., Henry Miley, Jr., and John Coonrod 
to convey the same to the county, herewith submitted. In making the selection 
for the seat of justice for Pike County, your Commissioners have taken into 
view the present population, the extent of the county and the quality of the 
soil, together with the natural advantages of the county, and were unanimously 
of the opinion that it would admit of a future division, and in all probability 
from the great emigration to the country (judging from the past), will justify a 
division in a few years by the line dividing Sections two and three, in Range 
six, running north and south. Previous to fixing upon any site your Commis- 
sioners examined all the county lying between Patoka and White Rivers, except 
the extreme eastern part, and would willingly have examined that part of the 
county south of Patoka had the season and weather admitted of it. But your 
Commissioners are satisfied of its situation and quality of the soil from the 
acquaintance of Colonel Hargrove, one of the Commissioners, with that part of 
the county, and the character given by many of the citizens north of the Patoka 
and one or tw^o south of Patoka. Your Commissioners have examined the situ- 
ations near the Center of the whole county, and the center of the western 
division of the county and the country around them, but your Commissioners 
could not think of fixing the seat of justice on any of the sites in the center of 
the whole county, because they were of opinion a division would take place in 
a few years. Nor could your Commissioners, from the present population, tak- 
ing into view the prospect of a future population in the western division of the 
county, think of placing it nearer than they have. Although the site fixed upon 
is not the center of the western division, yet from its eligible and beautiful situ- 
ation, together with its natural advantages and present population, with a due 
regard to future population, your Commissioners could not think otherwise than 
that it would remain and be the permanent seat of justice for the western 
division of the county. 

Pike County, 15th February, 1817. 

George R. C. Sullivan. 

B. V. Beckes. 

George W. Boone. 

Ephraim Jordan. 

William Hargrove. 

The town site was surveyed by Hosea Smith April 3, 1817. 
It was laid off into 152 lots one-fourth acre in size, twelve one 
acre in size, and two consisting of about one-half an acre. Tlie 
deed from the donors conveying tlie land to the agent of the 
county, Thomas C. Stewart, was not made until August 18, of the 
same year. The consideration mentioned in the deed is $20,000, 
but of course nothing was paid. It was decided to call the town 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 



337 



Petersburg, in honor of the principal donor, Peter Brenton. A 
public sale of lots took place April 14, 1817, with Benjamin V. 
Beckes as auctioneer. The first plat sold was No. 83. It was 
bought by Eobert M. Evans for $144, the highest price paid for 
a single lot at this or any subsequent sale. Joseph W. Loan 
bought Lot No. 84 for $120. John N. Truesdale paid $10G for 
Lot No. 72, and Thomas J. Withers, $101 for the adjoining lot, 
73. Occasional private sales were afterward made, and up to 
February 11, of the next year, eighty-six lots had been sold for 
an aggregate of $3,183.87. In addition to those already men- 
tioned the purchasers of lots are as follows: G. E. C. Sullivan, 
Bazil Brown, Levi Kinman, Harrison Jones, Peter Brenton, 
David Hart, Jacob Harbison, James Campbell, John Butler, 
Archibald Campbell, B. V. Beckes, Eobert Brenton, John OUom, 
Joseph Selby, Jonathan Walker, Isaac Ogden, John Mclntire, 
Thomas Case, William Wright, John Price, James Kinman, 
Thomas C. Stewart, John Chapman, Phillip Catt, John J. Neely, 
John Johnson, Paul Tislow, James Jackson, Daniel Coonrod, 
David Parks, Nathaniel Huntingdon, Hugh Shaw, John Davis- 
son, John Child s, Samuel Scott, John Coonrod, John Kinman, 
Silas Sovereigns, Henry Miley, Ewing Milburn, Henry Coon- 
rod, George Coonrod, J. Hathaway, David Kinman and Eobert 
Mead. 

A second public sale of lots took place on the first Monday in 
January, 1825. But it seems that all were not disposed of at 
that time and another sale was held in August of the same year. 
The prices paid were much less than at the first sale, and thirty- 
six lots brought only about $300. Soon after the town was laid 
off, the sheriff let the contract for clearing the public square to 
Levi Kinman who received $44 therefor. At about the same 
time Thomas C. Stewart received the contract for the erection of 
a pillory on the square. This served also as a whipping post. 
James Walker was paid $17.75, for clearing Lot No. 107, upon 
which a log court house was soon after erected. Among the first 
to build houses and take up their residence in the town were 
Thomas C. Stewart, Thomas Case, Thomas Mead, James Kinman 
and John Mclntire. The early tavern-keepers were Joseph Hay, 
Eobert C. Mead, Thomas J. Withers, Thomas Case, James Kin- 
man, John Finn and Bazil Gaither. A large part of their busi- 



338 HISTORY OF pike county. 

ness consisted in selling liquors, and they were compelled to pay 
a license of from §1.50 to .§2.50. Their rates of charges were 
lixed by the county commissioners, and the following is the scale 
adopted at their first meeting: 

Each half pint of whisky 12^ cents. 

Each pint of cider or beer 12^ cents. 

Each half pint of peach brandy 37^ cents. 

Each diet 25 cents. 

Each night's lodging 12J cents. • 

A horse to hay all night 12^ cents. 

At a little later date most of the stores sold whisky, and were 
licensed under the title of "groceries," to sell spirituous and 
malt liquors and aromatic and foreign groceries. 

Mclntire & Stewart were the first merchants. They occupied 
a small log building where Eisert's grocery store now stands. A 
little later, James Bryant opened a store in a little frame build- 
ing near the same site. Neither of these stores was continued 
long, and in 1820, Yincennes was the nearest point at which 
goods were sold. The earliest merchant who did business on 
anything like an extensive scale was Matthew Foster, who began 
business in 1827, and afterward formed a partnership with Albert 
Hammond. They handled large amounts of produce which they 
flat-boated to New Orleans. Other merchants of the "twenties" 
were Moses Harrell, George H. Proffit, James Kinman, Archibald 
Campbell and Daniel O'Blenis. The postoffice was removed from 
White Oak Springs soon after the town was laid out, and John 
Mclntire became postmaster. He was accustomed to carry the 
letters in his hat, and to deliver them as he chanced to meet those 
to whom they were addressed. The physician of this period was 
Abraham Tourtellot, a man of considerable ability. He died 
about 1835. He was succeeded by John W. Posey, Alexander 
Leslie and Joseph Davisson. 

Manufacturing Enterprises. — The first to engage in this line 
of business was Thomas Milburn, who built a horse-mill a short 
distance from town, about 1822. After running it a short time 
he sold it to Henry Miley, -who moved it to a site near the ceme- 
tery in the east part of town. In 1827, Peter and James Brenton 
erected a building and put in a carding-machine which they ran 
for a few years. About the same time William Deadman had a 
hattery in a log-house on Lot 106. He supplied a lar^e section 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV. 88'. • 

of country witli hats whic'l! would oftoii last oi^^it or l<ui \.'ar> 
Two distilleries furuislunl ••li'juid couiforf to the inhabitants oi 
the town. Meredith Howanl had one on a lot now owned bv 
Frederick Eeuss and Chris and William Miller ran one on the 
bank of the creek. These furnished a market for a considerable 
quantity of corn and rye. The Millers also liad a tread-mill at 
which they <;round the crrain for their ••still.'" Jfvcol) Stuckey 
built a saw and grist-mill whicli Avas run by the same ])Ower. It 
was located in the lower part of t(nvn. and was built aV)oiit 182.S. 
Boots and shoes were made by AVilliam Cargle and Aaron Grider. 
Samuel Stuckey had a tanyard just outside of town, (ui what is 
known as the Vincennes road. The above includes about all of 
the manufacturing industries previous to 1885. 

Tlie Business Men of the Thirfies. — The leading business 
men during the decade of the thirties were Foster & Hammond. 
H. AV. & S. AV. Kinman, Posey & Withers. Thomas L. Montgom- 
ery and A. S. Drennen, all of whom carried a stock of general 
merchandise and were licensed to keep "groceries." George H. 
Proffit and Mr. Hughs also sold goods during this period. In 
1838, John Graham built a saw-mill on the present site of Frank 
Bros.' mill. He afterward enlarged it and })ut in machinery for 
grinding grain. 

TJie Business Men of ihe Forties. — The growth of the town 
was very slow iip to the close of this decade, at which time the 
population as found by the census of 1850 was only 480. The 
leading merchants were Thomas L. Montgomery, A. & P. C. 
Hammond, Warner L. Scott, Goodlet Morgan, Jackson M. Kin- 
man, James Kinman, Jonathan Wilson, William Hawthorn and 
Kobert McBay. The postmasters up to 1850 after John Mclntire 
were Albert Hammond, Warner L. Scott and William Hawthorn. 

The Business Men of ihe Fifties. — The decade of the fifties 
was one of the most prosperous in the earlier history of the town. 
The building of the Wabash & Erie Canal brought in large num- 
bers of laborers, and by its completion Petersburg was made one 
of the best shipping points in southern Indiana. A number of 
warehouses were built, and pork [)acking became an important 
industry, while all kinds of produce were shipped in large quanti- 
ties. Among the leading business men of this period were 
AVarner L. Scott. P. C. Hammond, Thomas L. Montgomery, 



310 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Goodlet Morgan, Jonathan Wilson, William and R. P. Haw- 
thorn, John B. Hanna, William H. Comielly, Thomas M. Kin- 
man, E. B. Boone and W. L. Minnick. The leading physicians 
were Alexander Leslie, J. R. Adams, G. D. Jacquess and Colum- 
bus Hickson. The hotels were kept by Samuel Benjamin and 
Jackson M. Kinman. 

The Cholera. — In the summer of 1850 Petersburg was visited 
by that terrible scourge, cholera. The first death was that of the 
child of an Irishman who came from New Orleans to work on the 
canal. A few days later the man himself took the disease and died. 
From these cases the disease spread rapidly among the laborers 
on the canal, and large numbers of them died. The citizens of 
the town became panic stricken, and at one time Petersburg Avas 
almost depopulated, there being about only twelve families re- 
maining. Drs. Leslie and Adams remained bravely at their posts, 
and did much to relieve the suffering and to prevent the spread 
of the disease. Only eleven residents of the town died. Among 
them were Malachi Merrick and tw^o children, Mrs. Emiline 
Connelly and two children, George Barnett and wife, and William 
Benjamin. 

The Merchants of the Sixties. — At the beginning of this dec- 
ade, the canal having fallen into disuse, the growtli of the town 
received a decided check, and business men were compelled to go 
back to the old methods of transportation. Goodlet Morgan con- 
tinued to deal extensively in produce and live-stock, and also 
carried a large stock of general merchandise. Among other lead- 
ing merchants may be mentioned P. C. Hammond, Thomas L. 
Montgomery, Gus Frank, Moses Frank, S. G. Barrett, Robert 
McBay and Gus Hisgen. N. W. Thornton and Thomas Zull 
were druggists; Weedman & White and Custin & King, manu- 
facturers and dealers in furniture; Elias Osborne, Alexander 
Moore, dealers in boots and shoes; Fred Reuss and John J. In- 
graham, harness-makers; C. A. Burger & Bro., merchant tailors; 
John J. Eisert, groceries ; Shawhan & Knight, hardware ; David- 
son <fe Hopkins, Adams Bros, and Charles Schaefer were the 
livery men ; Charles Schaefer was proprietor of the Pike Hotel, 
Mrs. John O. Carter of the Carter House, and A. G. Davisson of 
the Exchange. The postmasters during this and the preceding 
decade were Warner L. Scott, Samuel Campbell, J. B. Hendricks, 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 341 

John Hanna, Darwin Hewins and James Coleman. Those who 
have had the office since 1870 are Rev. Ravenscroft, his daughter, 
Mary Glezen and Thomas K. Fleming. 

Later Manufaduring Indusfries. — About 1834 Graham & 
Connelly built a saw-mill on the present site of Frank's Mill. 
Two years later it was sold to George H. Proffit, who soon after 
transferred it to James C. Graham and Fielding Johnson, the 
latter of whom was succeeded by Fred Meyers. About 1839 a 
grist-mill was added, and a few years later it was entirely 
destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by Graham and Simon P. 
Frank. The former sold his interest to Snyder, and the mill is 
now owned by the sons of Mr. Frank. About 1855 Harrison Po- 
sey built a mill, and put in some carding machines. He sold out 
to J hn N. Posey and W. H, Connelly. The next owner was 
Clinton Bruner, who put in a grist-mill. He died, and the mill, 
after changing hands several times, was burned in 1885. The 
first planing-mill was built by Marcus King on the lot where Al- 
fred Buress lives, about 1858. After being run for some time it 
was moved away. Coleman & King built the planing-mill now 
owned by E. R. King, in 1866 or 1867. The mill owned by 
Canady was built by Erb Dickson. 

In 1865 John S. Stucky b\iilt a woolen-mill on Lot 17. It 
was run for about ten years, when it fell into disuse. John Bu- 
chanan had a foundry in Snyder's enlargement, between 1850 and 
1860. He operated it about two years, but when the canal went 
down it was discontinued. S. G. Upton & Co. were also connect- 
ed with it for a short time. The Champion Steam Flouring-mill 
was built by C. E. Montgomery in 1878. In 1885 the roller pro- 
cess was put in, and the mill sold to John B. Young and John 
Crow. 

Petersburg has been the residence of several men of prom- 
inence in State and National affairs. Among the earlier may be 
mentioned Maj. John Mclntire who served with distinction dur- 
ing the war of 1812 in Col. R. M. Johnson's regiment. Soon 
after the organization of the county he took up his residence in 
Petersburg, and from that time for many years filled the offices 
of county clerk and recorder. John Johnson and Thomas C. Stew- 
art were both men of ability. The former organized the county, 
and represented it in the State Legislature for the first eight 



342 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

years. Stewart was agent of the county for several years, and 
was a member of the State Senate from 1835 to 1838. During 
the "twenties" George H. Proffit came to Petersburg, and en- 
gaged in merchandising. He later turned his attention to law 
and politics, especially the latter. He was a shrewd politician 
and an orator of great brilliancy. He served two terms in the 
State Legislature, and two terms as Representative in Congress. 
Upon the accession of Tyler to the presidency, he championed the 
President's cause and was made minister to Brazil. He died 
in the prime of life, and is buried in the old cemetery. Hon. 
John W. Foster, United States minister to Spain, is the son of 
Judge Matthew Foster, and it was here that he was born and 
spent his early years. 

ADDITIONS TO PETEESBURG. 

No. of Lots. 

1836 Canalport by Peter Brenton 43 

1853 Snyder's enlargement 65 

1854 Adams' addition to Canalport 6 

1854 Withers' addition 13 

1869 Hawthorn's addition 77 

1870 Harrell's addition 25 

1873 Promts' addition 42 

1883 Morgan's addition 33 

1884 Eisert's addition 31 

1885 Schaefer's addition 25 

The Municipal Government. — June 4, 1855, Alexander Leslie 
presented to the. county commissioners a petition signed by 
ninety-eight voters of the town praying for an order of incorpora- 
tion to include the original town and the addition which had been 
made up to that time. It stated that according to a census 
taken by W. R. Scott the town had a population of 589. An 
order for an election to deterraine upon incorporation was issued, 
and the • election was held June 23, 1855, resulting in a vote 
of sixty-three for to sixty-one against incorporation. Accord- 
ingly at the next meeting of the commissioners the town was 
ordered incorporated. An election of officers was held and the 
government organized. H. B. Custin was elected president of 
the board. G. H. Scott, clerk; and James Barr, marshal. The 
other members of the board were J. P. Glizen, George D. 
Mitchell, Thomas M. Kinman and John Hutchins. One of the 
first f»rdinances passed provided for the laying of a pavement 



HISTOlWr.OF PIKE' COUNTY. 343 

eiglit feet wide on each side of Main Street. At the election held 
in May, 1858, D. W. Horton was elected clerk ; A. Leslie, treas- 
urer ; E. E. Eainey, marshal, and Marcus King, John S. Stuckey, 
John Mclntire, Samuel E. Snyder and Henry Khost, trustees. 
In April, 1860, an ordinance regulating the liquor business and 
requiring dealers to pay a tax of |100 per annum, was passed. 
The officers at this time were Thomas Knight, John S. Stuckey, 
John J. Eisert, William Barr, E. M. Case, trustees; N. W. 
Thornton, clerk ; Alexander Leslie, treasurer and E. E. Eainey, 
marshal. At the next election Marcus King, James E. Adams, 
Simon P. Frank, Eobert McBay and John Washam were elected 
trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; John E. Phillips, 
clerk, and William Shaw, marshal. 

The records of the proceedings of the town council havino- 
been destroyed by fire in 1883, but little is known in regard to 
them previous to 1870, but it is safe to say that no business of 
great importance was transacted. The officers elected were as 
follows in 1861: Thomas Knight, Goodlet Morgan, Eobert 
McBay, S. E. Snyder, Eobert M. Case, trustees; Thomas L 
Montgomery, treasurer; J. E. Phillips, clerk; John Hawkins, 
marshal. 1862, Thomas Martin, Simon P. Frank, Eobert 
McBay, William Barr, Eeuben Case, trustees; James L. Mount, 
marshal; O. F. Baker, clerk; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer. 
1863, Thomas Knight, J. B. Hanna, H. B. Custin, S. E. Sny- 
der, E. M. Case, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; 
William H. Donahue, clerk; Wiliiam L. Shaw, marshal. 1864, 
Alexander Leslie, Goodlet Morgan, J. J. Eisert, John M. Ham- 
mond, John O. Carter, trustees; William H. Connelly, treasurer; 
William Hawthorn clerk; Thadeus Withers, marshal. 1865, 
Alexander Leslie, William Hawthorn, H. B. Custin, Samuel E. 
Snyder, John O. Carter, trustees; William H. Connelly, treas- 
urer; W. T. B. Mclntire, clerk; John Tislow, marshal. 1866, N. 
W. Thornton, Eeddick Harrell, William Davisson, James E. 
Adams, Abraham Case, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treas- 
urer; J. D. Boon, clerk; A. Palmer, marshal. 1867, Thomas 
Knight, William H. Connelly, H. B. Custin, Eobert H. Stewart, 
John O. Carter, trustees ; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer ; 
John H. Miller, clerk ; William Davisson, marshal. 1868, Alex- 
ander Leslie, E. Harrell, F. M. Scales, J. F. HofPhine, Abraham 



344 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Case, trustees; A. J. Snyder, treasurer; A. G. Davisson, clerk; 
William Selby, marshal. 1869, Alexander Leslie, Hiram N. 
McGowan, George Whitman, Levi Ferguson, William Barr, trus- 
tees; Robert McBay, treasurer; Thaddeus C. Withers, clerk; 
David Tyler, marshal. 1870, N. W. Thornton, William H. 
Posey, James Shawhan, Charles D. Alexander, Zachariah Troyer, 
trustees; John J. Eisert, treasurer; F. B. Posey, clerk; Robert 
Beazley, marshal. In July, bonds to the amount of $6,000 were 
ordered to be issued for the purpose of erecting, a school build- 
ing. The bonds were each of the denomination of |100, due in 
one, cwo and three years. The, officers elected in May, 1871, were 
John Hammond, H. C. Adams, William L. Merrick, William 
Barr and Zachariah Troyer, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, 
treasurer; J. D. Boon, clerk; Samuel Coonrod, marshal. At 
their last meeting, the trustees and clerk donated their services 
for the year to the town. 

At the September meeting of the county board a petition was 
presented praying for the incorporation of all territory included in 
Sections 22, 23, 26, fractional Section 16 and the greater part of 
Sections 21 and 27, Town 1 north, Range 8 west. A remonstrance 
was presented and the prayer was not granted. The officers for 
1872-73 were C. E. Montgomery, John H. Miller, John J. Eisert, 
William Barr and C. H. McCarty, trustees ; W. L. Merrick, marshal ; 
William H. Posey, treasurer ; J. D. Boon, clerk. In June, bonds to 
the amount of $15,000 were ordered to be issued for the purpose of 
funding the bonds outstanding and to provide for the completion 
of the school buildings. The bonds were each of the denomina- 
tion of $500, and di-ew interest at the rate of 10 per cent. They 
were sold at 6 per cent discount. Eight bonds were made due 
in four years, five in six years, seven in eight years, and ten in 
ten years. The officers elected for 1873-74 were Alexander Les- 
lie, J. B. Hendricks, A. R. Snyder, Thad. C. Withers, John O. 
Garter, trustees; W. H. Posey, treasurer; F, B. Posey, clerk; D. 
C. Hutchins, marshal. For 1874-75 the officers were J. P. 
Martin, John F. Trofzer, A. R. Snyder, William Siple, John O. 
Carter, trustees ; W, H. Posey, treasurer ; E. P. Richardson, clerk. 
The officers elected for the next year were Alexander Leslie, J. 
F. Trafzer, A. R. Snyder, J. W. Richardson, C. F. Boonshot, 
trustees; William H. Posey, treasurer; Oscar Hammond, clerk. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 346 

For 1876-77 the officers were Elias Osborne, S. P. Frank, A. R 
Snyder, M. M. C. Hobbs, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; William H. 
Posey, treasurer; Oscar Hammond, clerk. 

In August, four bonds of $500, each bearing 10 per cent inter- 
est due in three years were issued to pay other bonds then due. 

The next officers elected were Thomas S. TuU, John Ham- 
mond, Abraham Seebern, Levi Ferguson, E. S. Ely, trustees; 
J. W. GuUick, treasurer; Charles H. Burton, clerk. For 1878-79 
the officers were Alexander Leslie, J. B. Hendricks, C. W. Cham- 
bers, E. R King, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treas- 
urer; Emmet M, Smith, clerk. In July, bonds to the amount of 
$1,750, drawing 6 per cent interest, due in three years, were is- 
sued to pay outstanding bonds then due. 

At the election in 1879, the officers chosen were: William 
Berry, J. W. Gullick, G. S. Eisert, F. B. Posey, George King, 
trustee; O. A. Hammond, treasurer; D. A. Sherwood, clerk; J. 
F. Hoffhines, marshal. For 1880-81, the officers were Charles 
Boonshot, John H. Miller, Daniel White, George W. Pinney, J. 
M. Craig, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treasurer; William H. Thomp- 
son, clerk; Thomas J. Keed, marshal. In November, a bond 
for $4,200 due August 1, 1882, was issued to pay bonds then due. 
The officers for 1881-82 were John Crow, Morris Frank, H. C- 
Adams, George Miley, Arthur Palmer, trustees; J. W. Gullick, 
treasurer; John M. Hammond, clerk; Thomas Tislow, marshal 
The officers for 1882-84 were Solomon Snyder, J. B. Young, 
H. C. Coleman, H. C. Adams, Morris Frank, trustees; E. M. 
Smith, treasurer ; F. J. Patterson, clerk ; George W. Miley, mar- 
shal. In August, bonds to the amount $7,000 were issued to 
replace all outstanding bonds. The officers for 1883-84 were J. B. 
Young, Keddick Harrell, Sr., Thomas Smith, Frederick Smith, 
James Shawhan, George Miley, marshal ; E. M. Smith, treasurer ; 
Harry Fowler, clerk. For 1884-85 the officers were A. K. Selby, 
John Tislow, Frederick Smith, Morris Frank, Thomas Smith, 
trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; Harry Fowler, clerk; 
Jerome Borer, marshal. For 1885-86 the officers are: Frederick 
Smith, A. K. Selby, John F. Trafzer, J. P. Martin, Joseph 
Lowery, trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; Harry Fowler, clerk;. 
E. S. Martin, marshal. The lists of officers are those elected, 
others have been, from time to time, appointed to fill vacancies. 



o4i; HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 

The corporation is now practically out of debt, as there are suf- 
ficient funds on Imnd to pay all outstanding bonrls. 

7^7; Y's. — December 2, 18S2, occurred the first of a series of 
fires Avliich were to destro}- the best part of the town. This 
fire originated in Alexander Moore's saloon, and the entire block 
was laid in ashes. The heaviest losses were: W. P. Knight, 
$2,000, Henry Eickrich, $(),500; M. H. Frank, $2,000; J. E. 
Adams, $1,500; Alexander Moore, 81,700; AVilliam McBay, 
$1,500. Many others lost smaller amounts. Only eight days 
later, at an early hour in the morning, the alarm of fire was again 
sounded, and the postoffice was found to be in flames. The office 
had been burglarized and afterward fired to cover up the rob- 
bery. Among the losses were: Augustus Frank, $20,000; 
Shawhan & Boonshot, $1,000; George King, $1,000; Glezen k 
Carson, $1,500; J. J. Eisert & Son, $1,200; D. W. Horton, $200. 
Mrs. Knight, $1,500; Frederick Eeuss, $700. The third fire, 
which was more disastrous than either of the preceding, oc- 
curred August 29, 1883. The aggregate losses were estimated 
at $71,000, with an insurance of about $28,000. The sufferers 
fi'om this fire were numerous. Moses Frank lost $10,000; P. C. 
Hammond & Son, $7,500; Hammond & Parker, $5,000; Barrett 
& Son, $0,000; N. W. Thornton, $8,500; Edwards & Ware, 
$5,000; Bergen & Adams, $1,501); J. W. Gladish, $1,000; Will- 
iam Hawthorn, $2,500; Billmeyer & Young, $5,000; Emmet M. 
Smith, $1,500; C. A. Borger \t Bro., $800; Ely & Townseud, 
$2,000. The fourth fii-e occurred May 15, 1884. It origi- 
nated in a building occupied by Ware & Latshaw, and spreading 
rapidly, destroyed an entire block. Among the buildings burned 
were two hotels, two dry goods stores, a grocery, drug store, 
saloon, butcher shop and several offices. The office of the Demo- 
crat was a second time destroyed. The loss was estimated at 
$50,000 partially insured. Immediately after the first fires, the 
work of rebuilding was begun, and in less than three years near- 
ly every one of the old buildings is replaced by handsome brick 
structures that would do credit to any city. 

Secret Societies. — Pike Lodge No. 121, F. & A. M., was or- 
ganized under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, March 18, 
1851. The following is a list of the first officers, which includes 
all who were members at that time: John Mclntire, W. M. ; 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 347 

James Kinman, S. W. ; Warner L. Scott, J. W. ; David Miley, 
secretary; Paul Tislow, treasurer; Elijah Malott, S. D. ; Thomas 
J. S. English, J. D. ; Richard Welch, Tyler. A public installa- 
tion of ofl&cers took place at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
They were installed by Samuel Rodarmel, from Charity Lodge 
No. 30, Washington, Ind. They received their charter May 25, 
1851. The first members initiated were Joseph P. Glezen, Clark 
M. Anthony, Perry C. Hammond and Elijah Boon. The lodge 
has enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity from its organization, and 
in the spring of 1885 completed a hall at a cost of $3,000. It 
has a present membership of fifty-four. The officers are H. C. 
Brenton, W. M. ; Thomas S. Smith, S. W. ; William McFarland, 
J . W. ; J. J. Eisert, treasurer ; George S. Eisert, secretary ; Hen- 
rv Reed, S. D. ; Abraham Seebern, J. D. ; James G. Evans, 
Tvler. 

Pacific Lodge No. 175, I. O. O. F., Avas instituted March ID. 
1S5(>, by B. T. Meredith, under a dispensation from the Grand 
Lodge of Indiana. The charter mem])ers were Thomas Knight, 
David W. Horton, Reddick Harrell, Henry B. Custin and John 
Hawkins. The officers were Thomas Knight, N. G. ; David W. 
Horton. V. G. ; Reddick Harrell, secretary; Henry B. Custin, 
treasurer. At the first meeting William H. Connelly, Jonathan 
Wilson, George H. Scott, Jackson M. Kinman and James R. Ad- 
ams were received into membership. The lodge has always been 
higlily prosperous, and has done much good by its distribution of 
charities. It has laid out and owns one of the most beautiful 
cr-meteries in the State, the value of the unsold lots in which is 
estimated at $8,000. The lodge has other resources to the value 
of 85,004.03, and a present membership of ninety. Those now 
filling the ofiices are J. W. Wilson. N. G. ; J. B. Duncan, V. G. ; 
N. S. Selby, R. S.; J. J. Eisert, treasurer; S. K. Selby, P. S. ; 
E. M. Smith, T. S. Smith and E. R. King, trustees. 

Atlantic Encampment No. 87, I. O. O. F., was instituted in 
November. 1807. The present membership is about forty. 

Unity Lodge No. 77, A. O. U. W., was organized May 10, 1879, 
and received its charter April 21. 1880. There were fifteen 
charter members, with the follojving officers: D. J. Phillips, P. 
M. W. ; W. D. Babcock, M. W. ; W. F. Townsend, G. F. ; John 
M. White, O.; W. P. Knight, recorder; G. Frank, financier; H. 



348 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Eickrich, receiver ; P. S. Withers, G. ; Jacob S. Reefer, I. W. : 
Jacob Brock, O. W. The total membership has been seventy- 
five, but on account of losses from death, removal, suspension, 
etc., there are now only twelve members in good standing. The 
present officers are James B. Duncan, P. M. W. ; Isaac Whitaker, 
M. W. ; S. R. Smith, G. F. ; J. P. Martin, O. ; Charles Fickeri, 
recorder; Charles Schaefer, receiver; J. M. White, financier; A. 
J. Patterson, G. ; H. C. Brenton, I. W. ; W. H. King, O. W. ; 
John M. White, representative; James B, Duncan, medical ex- 
aminer. 

Merchant Post No. 15, G. A. R., was chartered March 26, 
1880. The members numbered fifteen. The present officers are 
A. Seebern, S. V. C. ; W. F. Williams, J. V. C. ; Daniel C. Ashby, 
surgeon; John M. White, adjutant; R. Spillman, Chaplain; A. H. 
Alexander, Q. M. ; C. C. LeMasters, O. D. ; J. T. Bottles, O. G. 

The first organization of this order was made June 27, 1867, 
with the following members: Levi Ferguson, Miles Chambers, 
John H. Miller, John G. Crosier, Ashbury Alexander, J. R. 
Adams, J. K. Patterson, A. R. Byers, JoHn Crow, W. C. Adams, 
Joseph P. Glezen, John Muhr, E. F. Littlepage and T. C. With- 
ers. It was then known as Post No. 1, District of Pike, Depart- 
ment of Indiana, and so continued until May 2, 1868, when it 
was changed to Merchant Post No. 243. Meetings were regular- 
ly held until April, 1872, when the organization was discontinued, 
and the o?der was. not represented in Petersburg until the pres- 
ent post was established, 

Friendship Assembly No. 2688, K. of L. received a charter 
June 2, 1883, and the following persons named as members: D. 
F. Painter, J. T. Palmer, A. M. Jones, John M. White, George 
8. Colvin, John Culshaw, S. R. Smith, Jonathan Minion and J. 
T. Rinman. The lodge now has a membership of about sixty-two, 
and is in a prosperous condition. 

Bank. — The town was without a bank until 1873, when the 
Citizens State Bank was organized with a capital stock of $25,000. 
The stockholders were McC. Gray, James Shawhan, John H. 
Miller, C. E. Montgomery, N. W. Thornton, C. A. Burger, 
John J. Eisert, J. R. Adams,, P. C. Hammond and W. H. De 
Wolf. The first four were the directors. The bank began busi- 
ness December 1, 1873, with McC. Gray as president, and N. W. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 349 

Thornton, cashier. Until the fire August 29, 1883, the business 
was conducted in a room over Thomas TuU's drug store. After the 
fire, a temporary building was erected on the same site. The busi- 
ness was continued there until November 1,1884, when the present 
large and handsome building was completed. January 3, 1877, 
James Shawhan was elected president, and he has since continued 
in that position. June 1, 1877, Emmet M. Smith was appointed 
clerk in the bank, and six months later was made assistant 
cashier. The bank does a safe and conservative business, and has 
the confidence of the county. 

The Press of Petersburg. — The early history of newspaper 
enterprises in small towns is usually a record of lives as brief as 
those allotted' to the angels of Eabbi Jehosha : 

Whose only office is to cry 
Hosanna once, and then to die. 

The first newspaper established in Petersburg was the Patriot^ 
a small five-column folio, subscription price $1.50 per annum. It 
purported to be independent in politics, and was owned by a few 
of the leading men in town, who purchased the press and mate- 
rial. John N. Evans, a school teacher and lawyer, was the editor, 
and Henry Stout, a son of Elihu Stout, the first editor of the 
Vincennes Sun, was the printer. It was discontinued after run- 
ning about six months. This was in 1851. The next person to 
embark in the newspaper business was Joseph P. Qleken, who 
established the Reporter in March, 1855. It was also a small 
paper, and advocated Republican principles. In a few months 
Edward P. Thorp became the editor and proprietor. He contin- 
ued until some time in 1860, when he sold the paper to Francis 
M. Downey. He had conducted it but a few months when he sold 
out to J. H. Keys, and entered the army. Keys continued the 
publication until June, 1862, when, following the example of his 
predecessor, he enlisted in the service of his country. S. T. 
Palmer then assumed control and his name appeared as editor in 
the next issue, but the following week he sent out a supplement, 
stating that he too was going ojffi to the war. Publication was 
then suspended for a few months after which John E. Bowen ob- 
taiuf^d control of it, and published it until 1864. At first he ad- 
vocated the principles of the Republican peurty, but probably 



0.")ll insTOHV OF PIKE COUNTY. 

thi(>Ui;li tliH iutlnoiico of money he elians^ed the tone of liis |)a[)er. 
and professed to be in sympathy with the Confederacy. He be- 
c;inie ijivolved in a dilhculty with William H. Donahey and shot 
iiim. Bowen est'a])ed from the county, and soon after tlie office 
of the Rcjxn-tcy was burned. The town was then without a. paper 
for a])Out a year. Durin^]^ tlie eampaii^n of 1H5() Samuel Upton 
be<^an the publication of the Pil-c Coinif/j Demorntf. It was 
printed in Washington. Ind.. I)ut was ostensibly published in 
Petersburg. It was discontinued aftei- a few months. In 1X1)5 
one McGinnis established a ]»aj)ei- called the Mc-iscwjci: It was 
a strong supporter of the Democracy, iintil during the campaign 
of 1<S<U), when a feAv leading Republicans bought the paper and 
editor. Though McGinnis still continued as the publisher, the 
editorials were written by such Rejniljlicans as Levi Ferguson and 
J. P. Glezen. 

In February, 18()7. the Mcssaidcr was bought by S. T. 
Palmer, who changed the name to the Trihfinc, and continued 
the publication until June, 18()*.), when he sold out to Malachi 
Krebbs. During the campaign of 1S08, and for a short time 
thereafter, James E. Huckeby pul)lished the Democratic. Press. 
He was a Democrat, and a firm believer in a ''white man's gov- 
ernment/' 

When Krebbs bought the Tn'h>nie he cliaiiged the name to 
the Republican Press, and it was later given its present name. 
He continued as editor and proprietor until 1872. when he sold 
to F. B. Posey, but in a short time in company with E. H. Har- 
rell. repurchased it. In 1873 bought HarrelFs interest, and the 
same year sold the paper to Harvey Wishard. January 1, 187G, 
bought out Wishard and was editor and proprietor until July 1, 

1879, when he was succeeded by J. W. Gladish. who, three weeks 
later sold a one-half interest to Frederick J. Matson. January 1, 

1880, Mr. Gladish again became the sole proprietor. Dui'ing 
the fire of August 29, 1883, the office was entirely destroyed, but 
the paper was continued without the loss of a single issue. Mr. 
Gladish is a highly educated gentleman and publishes an excel- 
h^nt county paper. It has a large circulation and wields a wide 
influence. The office under the management of N. S. Selby, a 
printer of experience and ability, does a large amount of job 
work. In the fall of 1870, Georo^e M. Emack transferred the 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV. 351 

Atwell Hcrahl, wliicli lie had published about six months, to 
Petersburg. It was a five-column paper, devoted to the interests 
of the Democratic party. He sold a one-half interest to Alexan- 
der Leslie, Jr., and the paper under the name of the Pike Counlij 
Bemocraf, was enlarged to a six column folio. Emack l)ecame 
involved in some difficulty and left the tov/n. Leslie continued 
the publication until after the campaign of 1872. when B. F. 
Wright became the publisher. Under his management the paper 
was not a financial success, and after two months, not being able 
to pay his bills he silently stole away. Leslie then leased the 
office to Oscar McDonald and Monroe Crow, who found that there 
was not -millions in it," and in six Aveeks it reverted to Leslie. 
Publication wj^s suspended until November, 1S72, when the office 
was sold to M. S. Evans & Co. The paper was enlarged to a 
seven column folio, and H. S. Evans became editor. In June, 
1873, the office again changed hands and AYilliam P. Knight and 
M. L. DeMotte became the owners. The following year DeMotte 
sold his interest to L. J. Campbell, and during the' campaign of 
1870:, the paper was conducted under the firm name of Knight & 
Campbell; in December of that year, Leslie foreclosed a mortgage 
on the office. The publishers went to Vincennes, purchased the 
material in the Times office, and without missing a single issue, 
continued the Democrai. In February, 1875, Campbelfsold his 
interest to Knight and the following November, Knight trans- 
ferred the office to Charles Mitchener. He then went to Tell 
City, Ind., but in February, 1877, he returned to Petersburg, 
and again became the proprietor of the Democnif. He has since 
continued in that capacity, having ass<x-iated with him at various 
times in the editorial management, J. M. Doyle, AV. D. McSwane, 
W. F. Townsend and Fremont Arford. The oflice has been twice 
totally destroyed by fire, first December 2, 1882, and again May 
15, 1884. The DeDux-ral is well managed, enjoys a lil)eral ad'- 
vertising and job patronage, and is the organ of the county De- 
mocracy. 

The W\'eJd,j Ketcs was establishe.l l)y the present editor an<l 
proprietor, E. H. Harrell in 1884. the first num])er appearing 
May 15. It is independent in politics and has a fair shan^ of the 
patronage of the county. 

Presi'ii! fjHsiiirss //^/r/vs/.s'.— Dry goods, boots and slioes. etc. 



352 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

— Montgomery, Hammond & Hudson, P. C. Hammond & Sons, 
Hammond & Parker, Moses Frank, S. G. Barrett & Son, Gus. 
Frank ; groceries — Johnson & Lane, Isaac M. Johnson, Fleming 
& Patterson, John J. Eisert & Son, John Berridge ; hardware — 
Billmeyer & Montgomery, Shawhan <fe Boonshot; drugs — ^J. R. 
Adams & Son, J. W. Bergen, Frank & Hornbrook; agricultural 
implements — Patterson & Martin, David White and all hardware 
dealers; furniture — E. R. King, Smith & Pinney; boots and 
shoes — E. & D. S. Osborne, D. W. Hdrton, William Hisgen; 
clothing — Moses Hess and nearly all dry goods dealers ; harness — 
Fred. Reuss, Chris Weitzel, C. Baum ; confectionery — S. G. Coon- 
rod, Albert Haas, H. Rickrich ; jewelry — S. P. Hammond, H. C. 
Gordon ; merchant tailor — C. A. Burger & Bro. ; milliners — ^Sarah 
Osborne, Mrs. Richardson ; carriage manufacturers — J. F. Trof zer. 
bank — Citizens State Bank ; newspapers — the Press, J. W. Gladish, 
Democrat, W. P. Knight, News, E. E. Harrell ; grain dealer — ^W. 
L. Merrick ; grist-mills — ^ Young & Crow, Frank Bros. ; planing- 
mills — H. C. Coleman & Co., J. W. Canady; brick and tile — Reed 
& Gray, and Morgan Bros.; livery — ^ Adams Bros., and Wood & 
Canatsey; hotels — Charles Schaefer, Pike Hotel, G. M. Rowe, 
Lingo House, Gus. Hisgen, Farmers' Hotel; saloons — Charles 
Schaefer, G. M. Rowe, Alexander Moore, P. A. McCarty, J. Vin- 
cent, D. Bruner and W. S. Mitchell ; barbers — A. Buress, F. Fort- 
ner, and John Turner ; blacksmiths — R. Dickson, Miller & Smith, 
McFarland & Ficken; marble works — F. M. Banks; butchers — 
John Brenton, "Whitaker & Colvin; insurance agent — A. H. 
Alexander ; professional men : attorneys — J. W. Wilson, Ely 
Townsend, Fleener, Richardson & Taylor, Posey <fe Honeycutt, 
Doyle & Thompson and Edwin Smith ; physicians and surgeons — 
Alexander Leslie, A. R. Byers, Adams & FuUinwider, J. B. Dun- 
can, Carleton & Wilson, W. H. Kepley, J. Hawkins; dentists — -S. 
L. Wilson and J. D. Loetzerich ; ministers — Methodist Episcopal, 
Daniel Davis ; Presbyterian, A. M. Freeman ; Cumberland Presby- 
terian, C. W. Yates; superintendent of public schools, A. C. 
Crouch. 

Sfendal. — This beautiful little village is located not far from 
the center of Lockhart Township, and was named by Rev. Bauer- 
meister in honor of a town in Prussia of the same name. It was 
laid out in 1867 and 1869 by F. H. Poetker. The streets run- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 353 

ning north and south are named respectively Williams, Warrick, 
Main, Broadway, Poetker and Church. Those at right angles to 
these are named Washington, Huntingburg and Bearhardina. 
Among the first inhabitants were F. H. Poetker, William Stark, 
John White, Dr. Agee and Dr. DeTarr. The town has had a slow 
but healthful growth, and now contains about 150 persons. A 
fine graded schoolhouse was built in the north part of town in 
1875. Among the prominent educators who have taught there 
are J. Borders, Dr. Hoover, S. B. Omsler and N. C. Johnson. 
There is a German Lutheran Church and parsonage in the north- 
east part of town, and near the same is the Reformed Lutheran 
Church. The town can boast of several physicians, 1 mill and 
cai'ding machine, 1 shoe shop, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 hardware 
and tin shop, 1 furniture store and 1 hotel. 

Pikeville is situated in Section 30, near the northern part of 
the township. It was laid out on the 18th day of September, 
1859, by Benjamin C. Clark. It contains a hotel, a Methodist 
Episcopal, a Lutheran and a Christian Church, also a school- 
house. Population about 125. 

Union, in Clay Township, is located on the road leading from 
Petersburg to Hazelton and Princeton, about ten miles west of 
Petersburg. The town was never formally laid out, or at least 
not till recently, consequently it is not dignified by streets with 
high-sounding names. Union is the only town in Clay Town- 
ship, although being a large and wealthy township, it is so iso- 
lated from railroads and other means of communication with the 
business world, that the growth is necessarily slow. The busi- 
ness houses of Union have been in the hands of such men as the 
Hornbrooks, Chambers, McFaddens and Kimes. Union has 
3 dry goods stores, 1 drug store, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 machine 
shop, 1 wagon shop, 2 churches, and other businesses. 

The I. O. O. F. Lodge of Union was organized in July, 1871, 
the charter having been granted May 1 of the same year by W. 
H. De Wolfe. The charter members were Josiah Colvin, John 
Kime, Jacob McAtee, Jeremiah Hillman and F. M. Key. The 
charter bears the name "Harrell No. 370." The following are 
officers: G. W. Drain, N. G. ; John Caldwell, V. G. ; C. S. Cham- 
bers, K S. ; Elisha Colvin, P. S. ; F. M. Key, T., and Robert 
Hudson, R. R. Kime and J. S. Shrode, trustees. Strength of 
lodge is thirty-eight. 



35-4 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Winsloiv is situated in Section 32, Town 1 south, Range 7 
west. It was laid out November 14, 1837, by John Hathaway. 
The town lies immediately north of the river, the streets nearly 
parallel with the river are Patoka, Union, Jefferson, Washington, 
Center, Lafayette and Nc^th ; those at right angles are West, Mill, 
Main, Walnut, Cherry and East. Winslow was a place of some 
note, many years ago, as a shipping and milling point on the 
Patoka River, but its progress was slow until within the last few 
years, its period of prosperity beginning with the completion of 
the Air Line Railroad. 

John Hathaway, the founder, owned a mill on the river, just 
below the town. Of George Dean, who came to Winslow in 1838, 
it may be said that he was an accomplished merchant, and ac- 
cumulated considerable wealth. "He was the first to attempt to 
establish a charity fund in Pike County, leaving, by will, all 
his property, except the widow's dower, to create a fund for the 
relief of destitute widows living within eight miles of Win- 
slow." The first flat-boat run out of Patoka was one loaded 
with pork, by James W. Cockrum, in 1835. The first hogshead 
of tobacco was shipped from the same place in 1841. Winslow, 
being near the center of the county, and having good railroad fa- 
cilities, is ambitious to become the county seat, with some show 
of success. The growth of the town within the last few years has 
been rapid, and it is now well supplied with business houses — a 
livery stable, hotel, a church, and a fine graded school, which has 
been in successful operation since 1880. 

The charter to Winston Lodge of R &. A. M., No. 260, 
was granted May 30, 1861. A. C. Denney was G. M. ; M. D. 
Manson, D. G. M., and Francis King, secretary. W. E. Chap- 
pell was then Master; George W. DeBuler, S. W., and N. Cut- 
wright, J. W. W. J. Bethel is now Master ; Nathaniel Evans in 
the West, and A, J. Carter in the South. The financial standing 
of the society is good, with a membership of forty. 

Hosmer is situated in the northwestern corner of Patoka 
Township, and was laid out February 28, 1854, by Stephen R. 
Hosmer, and named in honor of him. Mr. Hosmer owned lands 
on the Wabash & Erie Canal, and it was the expectation that 
the town would become one of some importance. A steam-mill 
and other improvements were begun on a large scale, and streets 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 355 

laid out bearing as pompous names as those of a large city, but 
on the failure of the canal, in 1855, the place began to decay. 
Since the completion of the Straight Line Railroad, in 1882 it 
has done considerable business in the lumber trade. 

PleasanfviUe.— This pleasant little village lies near the south- 
ern part of Monroe Township. It was laid out in 1860, by J. W. 
Richardson. It lies near Honey Springs, one of the first settle- 
ments south of the river. The place contains several stores, 
tobacco houses, a Methodist Episcopal Church and school and 
school building. It contains about 300 population. 

Highbanks.—Hugh McCain, Thomas McCain and C. Beams 
laid out the town January 12, 1837, Wolsey Pride with his 
brother William settled at Highbanks in 1813, and in 1816 to 
the same place came Ebenezer and John Case, Hamilton and 
Alexander McCain, and soon after AVilliam and Charles Hargrave, 
The town was formerly laid as above mentioned, having main and 
back streets parallel with the river and Highbanks, Walnut, Cherry, 
Plum, Union and Upper at the right angles to the river. Being 
one of the first settlements in the county and located on the river 
as it was it bid fair to be a place of note but want of outlet has 
brought decline to it, and it is Highbanks only in name. Your 
historian has named its streets with the belief that it could not 
have been done by its oldest inhabitants. 

Alfords was laid out by Elijah, Nathaniel and Samuel Alfords 
November 8, 1856. These men were contractors on the "Old 
Straight Railroad." The failure of the raiboad at first and a 
change of the line since has brought stagnation to the place. 
The business that formerly went to Alfords now goes to Peters- 
burg or Winslow. 

Algiers City.~ln 1868, Algiers City was laid out, although 
not formally platted as a town until recent years it was a place of 
note in the very earliest history of the county. Such names as 
Case, Russel, Pride, Endly-and Scraper are intimately connected 
with its early history. The first postmaster at Algeirs, formerly 
called Delectable Hill, was Harbard DeBruler. Mathew Foster 
did business there in the twenties. 

^rcad/a.— Simeon LeMasters laid ofP the little village of 
Arcadia in 1869. It is near the old LeMasters settlement, one 
of the former settlements of the county. The Pancakes and 



356 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Ashbys live near the place. As a commercial place it is of little 
importance. 

Augusta lies in the extreme northwestern corner of Lock- 
hart Township and is a place of some little note. It contains 
130 lots, a church, tobacco factory, and a graded school. The 
streets are named First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth from 
the north and Main, Vigo, Bradley and Washington at right 
angles to the former. 

Arthur. — This little village is found in the southern part of 
Patoka Township and contains one hotel, a number of business 
houses and 200 town lots. 

Otwell. — This place is situated in a rich agricultural dis- 
trict near the central part of Jefferson Township. It was 
laid out January 15, 1855 by Berry Brown. The place was 
called Pierceville until 1864 when Lawrence Jones, A. J. Wells 
and James R, Nelson presented a petition signed by two- 
thirds of the town to have its name changed from Pierceville to 
Otwell. This was done at the March term of 1864. The streets 
running parallel with the principal streets are named in order, 
Jefferson, Washington and Madison; those at right angles are 
Virgin and Liberty. The town having no railroad outlet does 
not increase rapidly. The village has its complement of stores 
and other business houses. Among the business firms of Otwell 
are D. H. Daniel, J. W. Abbot, J. W. Conger, Samuel Dillon, 
Frank Bilderback, John Wilhelm, Michael Fletcher, Jacob Bow- 
ers and J. T. Scahlan who has been running a blacksmith shop 
for twenty-five years. The population is estimated at 300. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTV. 357 



CHAPTER VII. 



BY PROF Z. T. EMERSON. 



Educational History of Pike County— The First Schools, Houses 
AND Teachers— Names of School Patrons— Anecdotes of Inter- 
est—Funds FOR THE Maintenance of Schools— Comparison of 
Early and Later Systems of Study and Discipline— Blythe- 
wooD Academy— High Schools. 

THE first schools of Patoka Township, were taught in rude, 
round log structures ; no windows, a large fire-place, a plank 
placed against the wall for a writing desk, split log benches, and 
puncheon floors. Writing was done with goose quill pens. The 
schools were "pay schools," the master charging SI. 25 for each 
pupil for a term of sixty-five days — a prodigious sum for those 
days. There was no such thing as board bills, the teacher 
"boarded around." 

The first schools of this kind were taught in Patoka by 
Thomas English, a Vermonter. He taught one school in the 
Ashby neighborhood, between Arthur and Augusta in the year 
1844, His next school in this township was taught in Section 
14, Township 2 south, Bange 8 west, near D. E. Barrett's. In 
these schools it was customary for the big boys and big girls to 
take their arithmetics and slates and study out of doors. Among 
other early teachers might be mentiored Ira J. Burch, who is 
still teaching, in Missouri, and who has taught for over forty-four 
years. Then came a man into the township, bearing the name of 
C. C. Winfrey, who taught a pay school at the old "Burch school- 
house," He was thought an excellent teacher. He often played 
with the children. 

One of his favorite plays was "walking a race" in which he 
would walk against any or all of the school running. When 
standing in the natural position, Mr. Winfrey was about six feet 
liigh ; when walking fast he seemed about only four. When he 
wished to call the pupils in, he would knock on the side of the house, 
and with his knife and halloo, "booksin! booksin!" He acted 



3.j8 history of pike county. 

strnii^f'ly ^■•>i'ittiiiios: one d;iy at hod]!, ho took some of the boys 
;troiT:.l oejiind one corner of the sohoolhovise. where he took o'.it a 
leatlier l»aii- tiUed with *^(»hl: he anoweii each of the boys to hoiil 
tlie money, find toUl them there were Sl.'")n() of it. 

This teacher w(mhl ^ive the cliihh'eii fifteen minutes each day 
to prepare tlieir sj)elling lessons, (Urrin<j^ whicli time he permitted 
them to ''study out" find not unfrequently in such cases, they 
would «j^et off" tJie subject. Tlie first free schools were only thirty 
days lon<.(. ;ind th<' tcfu-hers were })aid $1 a day. They still 
"boarded aiouiul."' When, however, they did board, it was obtained 
at 30 cents a week. W. J. Grimes is thought to have been the 
first teacher wlio ever taught a free school in Patoka Townslii[). 
He was licensed for four months to teach reading, writing, spell- 
ing and arithmetic to the "rule of three." Among the more recent 
teachers may be mentioned AVilliam Ivy, Lottie Green, Mattie 
Edmunson, Byron Brenton, K. W. Hurt, Cicero Agee and John 
D, Grimes. 

Lockhart Schools. — Almost twenty years before Lockhart was 
separated from Monroe Township her first sclioolhouse was built. 
This was about the year 1833, and it was built on the southwest 
quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 25, Town 2 south. Range 
7 west, on a point of land rising a little above the Beaden's Creek 
bottom and on the south side of the creek about one-quarter of a 
mile west of the road leading from the Cup Creek Church north to 
to Beaden's Creek, in a field now owned by Mrs. Mary Martin. This 
site seems now to have been the very poorest that could have been 
selected for a schoolhouse, but taking into consideration that at that 
time the roads or traces, as they were called, followed water courses 
to a great extent ; this was a very convenient location as a road up 
this branch bottom connected to settlements, the one on the east 
and the other on the west, with the schoolhouse on half-way 
ground. The site of the old schoolhouse is known to Kut few and 
there are very few of the old men now who can call to mind 
the fact of its ever having been there. It was l()xl8 feet, built 
of round logs, high enough that a man could stand straight under 
the eaves, a dirt floor, the roof kept on by means of weight poles, 
no fire-place, and as the schools were taught in the fall season 
they did not chink and daub the cracks, in consequence of which 
the necessity of windows was avoided. The door was made of 



HISTORY OF I'lKi: COUNTY. o-".'.' 

clap-boanls and swuiii;- on wooden hinges Avliidi (•aus(Ml l-ad ;i!!.i 
creakiniT noises when the door was t)peued and shut. Tlic will- 
ing desk was a phink. twelve or fourteen feet L)ni;-. that s,.nie ot' th«' 
[)atrous ]iad arrested in its course dowji the Patokfi Iviver. It was 
placed along one side of the house, just before a larg>^ crack, upon 
pegs that were driven in holes made in the wall beneath. The 
house Avas built, of course, by the patrons of the school, at a co.t 
of about three or four days" Avork each. The foUowiiig were pHtr< >ii> 
of the first school: Daniel Hendricks, the first settler of the town- 
shi]); Peter Kinder. Jackson Davis, Jesse Coker. Comfort Brew- 
ster, Beaden Davis and John Miller. There were altogether b^- 
tAveen twenty and thirty pupils. They came from a scope of 
country over six miles square. The first school teacher Avas 
Beaden Davis, after Avhom Beaden' s Branch took its name. He 
Avas one of the patrons of the school and had a large family of 
children, all of Avhom Avere girls. He Avas good humored in the 
main, but knew Avell how to use the rod or ferule when necessitv 
demanded. In relating an anecdote he Avas quite successful, gen- 
erally acting out all the parts Avhile narrating the story. He 
afterward became a Methodist preacher. He Avas quite a singer 
in his day and very sympathetic in song and discourse, the tears 
flowing readily down his cheeks, Avhen narrating the emotional 
part of either song or sermon, frequently rising on tiptoe on 
those parts and then noiselessly relaxing on his heels again. He 
was a good, quiet, inoffensive man, received from $oO to $00 per 
term in the pioneer schools. He died at the rii)e old age of about 
eighty. The history of one school of Lockhart is in a measure a 
history of all her schools. The urchin's mind thirty years ago 
"might not stretch away into stately halls"' yet the same avenues 
were open to his mind then as noAv. If he had not so many oj)- 
portunities to store his mind, he had fewer things to detract from 
his work. Lockhart has now fourteen schoolhouses, one a graded 
school, all in good condition, Avith an average of seventy days' 
term and wages $2.08 per day. Lockhart enumerates over 700 
children. 

Logan, Ckuj and Madison Schools. — Logan Township formed 
a part of Madison until 1846. The first schoolhouse within the 
boundary of Logan was erected by the citizens in 1830. This 
building Avas situated on what is now knoAvn as the LeAvis Wilson 



S60 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

farm near the center of Logan To^v^nship. It is described as 
being "about the size of a smoke-house." It was built of split 
poles, and had no floor, chimney, or door — poles being used 
to bar the entrance at night. Not a crack was chinked or 
daubed. The seats (split poles with legs) were arranged around 
the wall. On one side was a writing desk (a puncheon) for those 
who wrote. It is thought that four men could have built such a 
house in one day. Only one term was taught in this building 
and that by James Atkinson in July, August and September, 1830. 
Only a few remain to recount the incidents of that term. One 
day the teacher's hogs followed him to school, a distance of three 
miles. Being quite gentle they persisted in going into the house, 
and had to be soundly thrashed several times during the day to 
the intense delight of the "scholars". 

On one occasion a number of young ladies visited the school, 
among them a sweetheart of a young man who was in attendance. 
In his efforts to hide his big bare feet, from her whose ankles 
"were bare and brown," he thrust them out through a crack near 
the ground. This youth seems to have been fertile in expedient 
and swift of understanding. On another occasion when the 
teacher was hearing some one recite, a little girl looking out, saw 
three deer browsing near the house. She told her brother (it 
was the custom then for teacher and boys to carry guns to school), 
who put his gun out through a crack to shoot. By this time the 
teacher had also discovered the game and was vainly endeavoring 
to persuade his old flint lock to fire. Suddenly the young man's 
gun was discharged and one deer fell dead. The young man's 
sister exclaimed, "Ma said this morning we 'd have fresh meat 
because the pot burned." In 1832 the house described was re- 
placed by a much better one. It was located near the site of the 
old on the land now belonging to William Carr. It was erected 
by citizens, prominent among whom were Revs. C. Johnson, 
Joseph Woodry and Michael Kime and was called the Kime 
Schoolhouse. This building was much better than the first one. 
True, it had no floor, but it had a door, shutter and a chimney. 
This chimney was built of mud and sticks, and rested on a log 
which extended acrtMse the room about five feet from the ground. 
The fire was mad» on the dirt floor at the end of the building 
and as the smoke arose it -ttras intended to pass through the chim- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 361 

ney. Here was taught a school by William Campbell, and another 
in 1834 by Henry Borders. His patrons were to pay him $1.50 
j)er scholar and pay his board. On Saturday before school opened 
the patrons had a meeting and sold him out to the lowest bidder. 
He was duly struck off to Adam Snyder, and Daniel Frederic at 
50 cents per week. During this term the teacher taught eight 
hours per day and killed on an average thii-ty squirrels per day. 
Those schools were of course supported by private patronage^ 
the teacher agreeing to teach reading, writing, spelling and arith- 
metic, to the "rule of three." In the books used at that time 
this subject began on about the seventy-fifth page. Each pupil 
recited separately and in the order in which they arrived in the 
morning. Evidently there was a new program each day. It 
is remembered that in 1840 one teacher was severely criticized 
for introducing a scheme whereby a large part of the school was 
taught at once, i. e. in a class. It was argued that classification 
could not be too severely condemned since it held back the bright 
ones with the dull ones. How fiercely the lovers of darkness 
fight against the first dawning of light. In early times a great 
variety of text books were used, thus making classification very 
difficult. One agred teaclior remembers that his pupils used as 
readers the following books; Introduction to the Eui^lish Reader, 
The English Reader, New Testament, Old Testament, American 
Preceptor, Peter Parley's Readers, Cousin Alice's Stories, Swiss 
Family Robinson, Baron Munchausen, etc. There seems to have 
been no uniformity of text books. 

The act of 1837, providing for free public schools, marks the 
beginning of a new era in the history of education in this coun- 
ty. The next year a schoolhouse was built on the farm of Gar- 
bison & Masters. Here Henry Borders taught a term of sixty- 
five days for $50. His was the first under the free school sys- 
tem which has so justly become the pride of our people. James 
Crow taught at the Kime Schoolhouse in 18313; John Alexander 
at Olive Branch in 1840; Lewis Wilson at Olive Branch in 1853, 
later at the Bailey, tlie first frame schoolhouse in the township. 
In 1859 Lewis Wilson was elected trustee; this office he held for 
twelve years. Under his administration neat frame buildings 
took the place of the old log ones, and maps, globes, charts and 
blackboards were brought into use. The trustee, in early year& 



362 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

a teacher ikI all his life a student, visited the schools, gave 
lectures, and in various ways promoted the growth and develop- 
ment that characterized that period. C J. Agee, Joshua Wilson, 
S. W. Stewart and Joseph Borders were among the leading teach- 
ers of the more modern ones. In Clay were Samuel Deadman, 
about 1828, and a finely educated Irishman named Scannel, about 
the year 1838. Others were Andrew Frederick, Reuben White, 
Cork Davidson, E. Denning and Daniel Aman, of the older teach- 
ers. Clay Township now supports eight schools for six months 
in the year, one a fine graded school. In Madison the same prog- 
ress has been made. Instead of old, abandoned residences, or 
log-houses with greased paper windows, they all have nice frame 
r houses, and all are furnished with bells, dictionaries, globes, 
maps, charts, etc. Pupils now pursue, under competent teachers, 
a course including the eight common branches and civil govern- 
ment, and on completing the same they receive a diploma signed 
by the trustees and county superintendent. Logan now has six 
frame schoolhouses, and a school term of eighty school days, and 
each taught by a competent teacher. The average wages per day 
for 1884-85 were about $2. This fact, with an enrollment of 327 
})upils in Logan Township, afiPords a very pleasing contrast with 
the condition of the schools in 1848. On a vote taken at the 
general election of that year, the question of a constitutional 
amendment establishing the free school system, the vote stood 
fifty-two "for" and seventy-two "against." Clay stood at th( 
same time tnirt^ -seven "for" and sixty-five "against," yet Clay 
now has eight schools, one a fine graded school, and employs nine 
teachers, three of whom are females. The vote in Madison at 
the same election and on the same question stood ten for the 
amendment and 100 against it. Madison now has six good school- 
houses, and employs six teachers who receive an average of $2 
per day. The average length of schools of Madison Township 
is only sixty-two days, the shortest of any in the county. 

Schools of Jefferson Township. — The professional teacher o^' to- 
day, particularly those of little experience, is disposed to sneer at 
the methods of instruction, at the text books used, at the methods of 
government, at the hours of study, at the crude furniture of the 
schoolroom, at the dress and habits of those in attendance, and 
>v()n(lor that the oUl folks knew anything, and be astonished at 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUXTV. 363 

his own wisdom. Sucli individuals are not unlike the old Ger- 
man mentioned by Coleridge, who had such profound respect for 
himself that whenever he had occasion to mention his own name 
he would reverently take off his hat. Young America has an 
excellent opinion of himself. Wendell Phillips' "Lost Arts" is 
an excellent thing for study by such individuals. 

While the early settlers of Jefferson were combating the dif- 
ficulties peculiar to a new country, clearing the forests, driving 
away wild beasts, fighting opposition to religious conviction, they 
were not unmindful of the intellectual needs of their children. 
The first schools were taught in some old, abandoned cabin, or other 
place of shelter. It is said the first schoolhouse in Jefferson 
Township was built ten rods north of the residence of William 
Kelso in 1828, called the Taylor Schoolhouse. This was on the 
farm now owned by Alva Price, and was built by the people of 
the community. It was a small, log structure, and has long since 
decayed. John Graham, a Scotchman, was the first teacher. 
School hours lasted from about sunup till sundown, or from the 
time the pupils arrived in the morning, till about dark. The pu- 
pils recited singly, and generally in the order of their arrival in 
school. The wages varied from $1.50 to $2 per term for each 
scholar, the teacher "boarding around." His pay was either in 
money or articles of food and clothing. A Baptist Church used 
as a schoolhouse stood near the Long Branch and Highbanks 
road, the old site of which is now marked by two neglected graves. 
Samuel Hargrave taught school at this house for a time. 

A schoolhouse was built near the store of White Chappell in 
about 1832. At this house John Sawyer was the first teacher. 
The man Hargrave is said to have been a very excellent man. 

Other teachers were John Adridge in 1840, and Aaron 
McCarty in 1842. The latter taught several years and is said to 
have been somewhat addicted to drink. This need not seem 
strange when William Hargrave, a minister of the gospel and a 
man of great worth was proprietor of a copper distillery. A 
schoolhouse was built at Otwell, on the farm owned by Daniel 
DeMott, but has been removed by Henry Coleman and used now 
as a lumber-house. The first teacher in this h6use was Eliza- 
beth Preston. Jefferson Township now enrolls over 600 pupils 
and employs 15 teachers — 11 males and 4 females — yet Jefferson 



364 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

has no graded school from the fact that the schools are almost 
entirely in the country. 

The length of term of Jefferson is 100 days, with average 
wages of $2.08 per day. The vote of 1848 for the constitution- 
al amendment favoring Iree schools stood: twelve for Anthony, 
the representative favoring the system, and 170 for Alexander 
who was opposed to the system. It is but justice to the people 
to say that the free schools were to them an experiment then ^d 
it was difficvlt to overcome prejudice and to bring aboii-t innova- 
tions. 

Monroe Towmhip Schools. — The first school ever taught in 
Monroe Township was iji 1820 — the same year that Monroe 
Township was Laid off — by John Ferguson, the father of Eevs. 
James and John Ferguson. This sohooj was at Honey Springs, 
near the town of Pleasantville. It was taught in a little log-cabin. 
Among the patrons of this school were the Le Masters family, 
King family, Uegaman and Skidmore faanilies. Several other 
^hools were afterward taught at the same house, one by a man 
by the name of Clark, in about 182.5, but nothing can now 
be recialled of him other than his name and a faint shadow of 
recollection. Jojin M. Grant taught a school on what is now 
the farm of Joe Ferguson, a short distance west of Pleas- 
antville, about 1839. He was able to lead his pupils into the 
mysteries of re94ing, writing, spelling and arithmetic to the 
single rule of three. He was particularly strong on spelling and 
required his pupils to study that branch aloud and the one who 
could make the most noise iji the work was considered the best 
student. He believed in the doctrine of Solomon, "spare the 
rod and spoil the child." By his pupils he was considered a 
tyrant. 

iDonrad Coleman taught in the Blackfoot neighborhood and 
was considered a good teacher. Wesley Hopkins was considered 
a fair teacher, but Wesley had one weakness, he would get drunk 
when opportunity afforded, and unfortunately fca- him and +he 
school, Cutwright's distillery stood near the schoolhouse, and not 
unfrequently he would visit that and during the remainder of the 
day the boys and girls WQuld have things pretty much their own 
way. This was about 1844. 

Charles F. El win, a Welsh-^pglishman taught a number of 



HISTORY OF PIKE OOUljyY. 366 

schools. Elwi» was a well educated man an<J »a ex.cell«nt teac]^er 
in his day. He was a good debater «tfid a v«ry fioe penpian. He 
died but a few years ago. 

Bev. Janies Ferguson of Warrick County is stjll teaching* 
though quite old. On the vote favoring the constitutional amend- 
ment for free schools, Monroe Township stood twenty-seven for 
the amendment and eighty-one against it. There are now 13 
school houses and 14 teachers in the township — 11 being njale 
and 3 female teachers. 

Schools of Washington Township. — The first account we h*ve 

of schools in this township were those taught by a Mr. Tunstie. 

He seems to have been a man of sufficient sense and of good i»- 

tention, but who had not reduced the matter of teaching to a 

science by any means. It cannot be said that his ideas were 

(ver consistent with those of Horace Mann or any other great 

educator of the present. He taught the double rule of three, now 

called compound proportion. Among the teachers of Washi^g- 

ton township who taught, before the common schools were in 

vogue, may be mentioned, Mrs. Sarah Finn, Mrs. Bebecca Fi^^, 

William Withers, John Mclntire and William Davenport The 

last named taught after the common schools were in operation. 

About the time Indiana became a State, a gentlemao named 

English taught private school in Washington township tor some 

time. His school was known only by name of Thomas English'^ 

school. All knew him and liked him for his social qualities, iot 

that was all there was of him. His teaching was neither an «irt 

nor a science. 

He was skilled to rule, 
And rule 

Was all there was 
Of his little school. 

The amount of all his learning, and the extent of all he taught, 
ae was the case with many others, was wrapped up %n the "old 
blue bacl^," "Webster's Elementary Spelling Book." This book 
contained reayding and spelling lessons as well, but the spelling 
was about all th^-t was taught. The method of recitation 
was about as follows: each pupil recited alone, one at a time, 
like going to a will, was the rule. The first at school in the 
morijing was the first to recite and the second to school was 
the second to recite, etc. A story is told of a la4y who,. 



.(,(; HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

wh(^" >[Uite a small child, attended Mr. Thomas English's 
seliool. On going to school one morning she saw a much larger 
and older girl coming in the distance ; both ran with all their might 
to reach the house first. The small girl got in first, but on open- 
ing school and calling the first to recite, both the small and the 
large girl came up with book in hand to recite. The word of the 
larger girl prevailed and the smaller had to recite last. This 
little girl had a "big"' sister who came to school that day and who 
was angry at the teacher for his decision. She spent the day in 
making wry faces at her sister's enemy as opportunity afforded; 
such was the discipline of Thomas English's school. Notwith- 
standing the poor methods of the teachers, their limited knowl- 
edge, the inconveniences of log-cabin schoolhouses, with their hard 
benches, no boards, greased domestic or paper windows, the long 
distance to scht)ol. the short term, some learned to read, write 
and spell, ami learned business transactions and business forms. 
Among them may be mentioned David Miley, who was suffi- 
ciently qualified to fill any county office at the present time, and 
who did in his later years fill every county office in the county, 
and was county auditor at the time of his death. Overwork in 
business caused his death. Among the first teachers who taught 
after the public schools received popular patronage were William 
C. Davenport and John Mclntire. Mr. Davenport was a good 
practical surveyor and followed the business after he quit teach- 
ing. He got his' death from pouring cold water on his head 
while hot when engaged in surveying on a hot day. Mclntire, 
commonly called Maj. Mclntire deserves some mention, although 
he is mentioned in connection with the schools of Petersburg and 
with the settlements and county officers. He was sent for to come 
from Shawneetown, III., to Petersburg. Besides holding nearly 
every county office at one time himself, he found time to teach 
school six hours a day, and then the remuneration was barely 
sufficient for a very plain liviug. It is worthy of remark that now 
nearly every officer has a deputy and yet finds a good living in the 
office. It is said that the coroner now receives as much for his little 
r.ffice as Mclntire did for all. Since the time of these men the in- 
terest in schools has grown wonderfully. There are now fifteen 
teachers employed in the township alone, making twenty-one 
Altogether. The great improvement in the schools of this town- 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 367 

sMp within the last sixty years may be seen by comparing no 
schools at all with the following facts as reported to Mr. J. L. 
Mount, county superintendent, by Mr. John Brenton, township 
trustee; number of pupils admitted into the school within the 
year, 922; number of houses, 13; length of term, 90 days; value 
of school property, $12,000; amount of .tuition, $3,602; special 
school revenue, $1,754. 

Petersburg Schools. — It is supposed that the first school ever 
taught in Petersburg was conducted about 1820, by Judge Sawyer. 
He taught in a small frame house on Main Street. He is said to 
have been from New York, and moved first to North Carolina, and 
then to Indiana, near Petersburg. His first term was for three 
months. He taught mainly that his own children might attend; 
at the same time others were in attendance, the Osborns and others 
of the older families attended. John Mclntire was the next 
teacher. He taught school in the old court house. He was in 
some respects a remarkable man, having held every county ofl&ce 
in the county and continued in office for thirty-seven years. Sam- 
uel Kelley taught in a small house on the lot now owned by Pren- 
tis Martin. J. S. English, a Vermonter, was a good teacher who 
taught for a time. Other teachers of the older class were Harvey, 
Graham, Davenport, and E. Bell. H. D. Ouyett, a Presbyterian 
minister, taught about 1855. 

Blythe-Wood Academy. — From the pen of Mrs. Anna Blythe 
Hendricks, we give the following account of Blythe-Wood: "In 
th6 spring of 1853, the Kev. A. T. Hendricks became pastor of 
the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg. At .that time the ' public 
school system' had found footing only in the larger towns and 
cities, leaving the villages and rural districts dependent on the 
three or six months schools which were opened in the summer or 
winter by transient teachers. Mr. Hendricks feeling the need for 
a more extended and influential mode of instruction, opened a 
school in the spring of 1854. As the village furnished no build- 
ing suitable for the purpose, he erected and furnished rooms con- 
nected with his residence. This school, styled ' Blj-the- Wood 
Academy,' was continued for a period of fifteen years, when the 
introduction of the public schools into the village rendered its 
continuance unnecessary. The course of instruction extended from 
the A, B, C's to the higher branches of a liberal English educa- 



• :')« HISTORY OF I'lKE COUNTY. 

tii»n, 0+*' ..g t(i its advanced pupils a knowledge of higher math- 
( .liatics, Avith Latin and Greek. The study of the Bible as a 
classic, as well as a system of religion and morality, was made a 
prominent feature in the entire course. Each pupil was required 
to furnish his desk with a Bible. The government was entirely 
paternal. The pupils on entering were informed that corporeal 
punishment formed no part of the plan. Dismissal was the capi- 
tal punishment, as a consequence serious offenses were very rare. 
The efforts of the teachers and pupils were directed less to the 
acquisition of mere rules and facts than to the cultivation of the 
powers of investigation and habits of thought.'' 

The Petersburg graded school building was erected and made 
ready for schools in the fall of 1872. The budding is an elegant 
brick structure, built at a cost of $20,000. The following is a list 
of the school trustees of this school : Francis V. Scales, Joseph 
P. Glezen, Simon P. Frank, Dr. A. E. Byres, R. Harrell, J. J. 
Eisert, J. B. Young, J. H. Miller. J. W. Gladdish, and G. W. 
Pinney. The present board is composed of Dr. A. R. Byres, 
president; G. W. Pinney, secretary; and G. W. Gladish, 
treasurer. The following is a list of the various superintendents : 
Rev. A. M. Bryant, 1 year; J. W. Wilson, 2 years; W. D. 
McSwane, 4 years > Dr. W. H. Link, 3 years; and the pres- 
ent A. C. Crouch, 3 years. The corps of teachers for 1885-8() 
are A. C Crouch, superintendent; G. J. Nichols, high school; 
Frank R. Taylor,, grammar ; Mrs. H. B. Elliot, intermediate ; Miss 
R. L. Whittinghill, second primary ; and Miss Susan Bartlett, first 
primary. The school has a course of twelve years, equaling the 
course of most cities of corresponding size. The high school was 
commissioned by the State Board of Education, in March, 1884, 
to prepare students for the freshman class in the State University. 
As an indication of the progress of the school, we append the high 
school alumni for the different years : 

Class of 1877 — Emma Johnson, Ambrose Johnson, W. E. 
Lamb. 

Class of 1878— J. L. Mount, W. H. Brenton. 

Class of 1881— Cora Selby, E. J. Beardsley, Fred Selby, Mai'- 
Bball Burrees, colored. 

Class of 1884 — Lulu Bartlett, Minerd Burrees, colored. 

Class of 1885 — Anna Hewins, Anna Lamb, Minnie Selby, 
Edith Lamb, Belle Shawhan, Emery Green. 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 369 



CHAPTER VIII. 

BY PieOF. Z. T. EMERSON. 

RELiGrous History or Pike Cotjnty— The Old Circuit Riders— 

MEETlJmS OF THE BaR£Y TiSIE— THE FORMATION AND DEVELOP- 
MENT OF Organizations— The Erection and Cost of Buildinos— 
Camp Meetings — Sunday-schools, etc.— Names of Ministers 
AND Members. 

THE religious history of Pike County is very closely connected 
with its early settlements. Immediatiely following the fii-st set- 
tlers, came the pioneer ministers, ever ready to share in the hard- 
ships, and cares, and dangers of pioneer life. With unflinching 
zeal they carried their work into every part of the country. 

Camp-Meetings. — In the early history of the church, particu- 
larly of the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians, there 
being no churches, and few and incommodious dwellings, these 
dwellers of the forest met, in the Indian summer days of 
autumn, to hold camp-meetings. Hundreds flocked to these 
meetings from far and near, and ministers without regard to 
creed, poured forth their warnings with apostolic zeal. Often the 
burning eloquence of these men so wrought on the emotions of 
their hearers, that hundi-eds were stricken with conviction, and 
amid the glimmering camp fires or "the struggling moonbeam's 
misty light," their lamentations and cries for mercy arose on 
high. No language could describe the effect of their mingled 
songs and shouts and lamentations. The site selected for these 
meetings was always near some spring or other suitable place for 
water. The Centennial says: "The first camp-meeting was held in 
1825, by the Cumberland Presbyterians at the end of Hosea 
Smith's Lane, on the hill near AVhite Oak Springs. 

"They also held camp-meetings in 1826 and 1827. In 1828, 
the Cumberland Presbyterians and Methodists held union meet- 
ings for two successive years. In 1829, a number of ministers of 
both denominations were present ; among them Rev. John Strain, 
who was a man of extraordinary power. During one of his ser- 



370 HISTORY OF PIKE COUiNTY. 

mons, Eev. Hiram A. Hunter, while attempting to make a report 
of it for preservation, fell unconscious, and lay in that condition 
for hours, as did also Kev, John Decker, and may be others 
throughout the audience. 

"In 1830 and 1831, the Presbyterians, Methodists and Cumber- 
land Presbyterians held union meetings. At that time the camp 
burned, and was never rebuilt. In 1833, the Cumberland Pres- 
byterians erected a camp near Petersburg, in what is now George- 
Davidson's wood-pasture. In 1839, the Methodists built a camp 
on the grounds of Eev. John Decker, three miles northeast of 
Petersburg, and held meetings for four years at that place. In 
1848, they erected a camp on the farm now owned by George. H. 
Siple, and held • yearly meetings for three years at that place. 
They also held camp meetings at Mount Pleasant Church in Clay 
Township, in 1854 and 1855; also on the farms of Samuel Jen- 
kins in Logan Township ; these were the last camp-meetings held 
in the county, their days of usefulness having passed away." It 
would not be proper to pass the subject of camp-meetings, with- 
out mentioniVig the matter of "Jerks." This was a peculiar affec 
tion, brought on by the tremendous tension of the nervous sys- 
tem during the excitement of these religious revivals. The dis- 
ease was indicated by a jerking and violent contortions of the 
body. It afflicted both saint and sinner. Its cause has never 
been fully understood. 

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church. — The Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church had its origin in Pike County, and possibly 
in the State, in a camp-meeting held at White Oak Springs in 
1821. This meeting was conducted by ministers from Kentucky, 
who had traveled all the way on horseback. The ministers, by 
whom this meeting was carried on, were William and John Bar- 
nett (two of Alex Downey's cousins), Hiram A. Hunter, William 
Lynn, William Chapman and David Lowery. At this meeting 
were over eighty conversions, and about forty of these joined the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and immediately at the close 
of the meeting the congregation of that denomination was formed. 
This congregation is thought to have been the first in the State, 
although there was one organized near Owensville, at old Mount 
Zion, about the same time. The first pastor of the congregation 
was John M. Berry, who was ordained in 1822, and remained as 



HISTORV OF IMKE COUNTY. 

pastor nlK.ut one year. After Berry there was no re-ular [u^^b.i. 
although wecasional preaching, till 1S85 when James Kiohey be- 
came pistor and remained nntil 1S4:5. The foUowing minister.^ 
have preached to this congregation at dilfert nt times, althougl 
possibly not in the order named: John Edmunson, David l)t>\v 
Walter" Scanks. H. D. Ouyett. Lewis Wilson. A. T. Hntcliinsoii. 
M. M. Smith. O. E. Hart. Ebenezer, Ben and Ei)hraim Hall. •) 
B. Madden and C. AV. Yates, the present pastor. This congrega- 
tion at first worshiped in private dwellings and the old court 
house, but in 1842 a new brick church was erected not tar fr..n. 
the public square. Among the princii)al donors to this hou- 
were Jesse Alexander, Matthew Foster (grandfather of Hon. J. 
W. Foster), Peter Tislow and Peter Brentou. Members of tlit 
first congregation were Jeremiah Gladdish and wife. Mrs. Lindsey, 
Jacob Meade, Lucy Meade and Mrs. Miley, the only one of these 
now living. Judge Sawyer, John Summers and Jeremiah Gladish 
were among the first elders. The first Sabbath-school of this church 
was organized about 1840, and has continued to the present time, 
and is now quite prosperous. It was continued through the sum- 
mer months only, till 1853, when, through the influence of Mrs. 
Miley and a few other ladies, it was carried on through the win- 
ter months. The example was soon followed by other schools. 
The pastors have usually acted as Sunday-school superintendents, 
The old church house is being replaced by an elegant new one. 
at a cost of about $6,000. The following persons have given 
very liberal aid in the construction Af the new house: M. M. 
Thomas, Sarah Ash, J. J. Eisert and Mary Ann Park. The 
membership of the church is about 131, Avho pay their pastor a 
salary of $700. 

The Bethlehem congregation was organized, and worshiped 
under an old shed, near Union, about 1840. This congregatioii 
used the old shed as a place of worship until 1850, when the 
Bethlehem Church house was erected, mainly by Oliphants, Col- 
vins, Fredericks, Donaldsons, Lindys and Crow. It is thought 
Bethlehem congregation was organized by James Piichey. 
Among the first members were Mrs. Hudleson (the first Chimber- 
land Presbyterian in Clay Township), Joseph Davidson and wife. 
Edmunson and wife, Mr. Lindy and the White family, Mr. White 
being the first elder. The chiirch at Union was built mainly by 



372 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

J. T. Kiir.e and Alonzo Hillman, acting as solicitors, at a cost of 
$l.Pi50. It maintains a good Sabbath-school, of which A. HJij 
man is superintendent. The churches at Bethlehem, Union and 
Olive Branch are called the Bethlehem congregation. Those 
mainly instrumental in the erection of Olive Branch were A. 
Johnson, Mr. Carr and Michael Kime. The first church was a 
log structure, built in 1846; the new one in 1858. The fiist 
members of this congregation were Michael Kime and family, A. 
J. Johnson, Isaac Carr, Felix Falls and S. G. Barrett. The 
strength now is about forty-five. Among the pastors who have 
preached to Bethlehem congregation are James Richey, William 
Lynn, John and George Edmunson, Stewart, Dorr, Bates, Lewis 
Wilson, T. B. McCormick, James Gleason and M. E. Chappell. 

The White River congregation was organized May 29, 1875, 
with Mason Hedrick as pastor. The first membership was thirty- 
four, and it has had a steady increase, until it now numbers sev- 
enty. The elders of the church have been : W. H. Kelso, Henry 
Stone, A. L. Case, Jonas Robinson, John AV. Griffith, Quincy 
Harper and Alva Pierce. The congregation worships at the Gray 
Church, just across White River. This is a neat house, and was 
built as a "union"" church, at a cost of $2,000. This congrega- 
tion has had but two pastors, Mason Hedrick and W. B. Craw- 
ford, the present pastor. It has maintained a very flourishing 
Sabbath-school — Union School— since April, 1882. 

Meihodisi Churches. — The first church services ever held in 
Pike County, were at Highbanks, the date of which is unknown 
although they antedated 1820 some years. The class was com- 
posed of a body of persons who emigrated from North Caro- 
lina. Owing to some schism in the class to which they belonged, 
they withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church and organ- 
ized themselves into the "Christian body" at Highbanks. The 
local ministers of this class were William Hargrave, Barnett 
and Harbard DeBruIer, but on the organization of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in Pike County, all these again joined the 
mother church except Mr. Case, wife, son and daughter who 
joined the Presbyterians and a few who went to the Universalists. 
The first class of Methodists was organized at the house of Arch- 
ibald Campbell in April, 1822. Mr. Campbell being a black- 
smith by trade and a Methodist by faith, the itinerant ministers 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNT V. 373 

frequently estopped with liim to have their horses shod and for 
entertainment. Not only were there regular preaching services 
at Mr. CampbelFs, but quarterly meetings as well. Miuis-- 
ters were supplied to this class fi-om the first till 1832 by the 
Tennessee conference and then by the Illinois conference until 
the formation of the Indiana conference. On the removal of a 
number of families from Daviess County to Petersburg in 1828, 
a new class was organized at that place. Mrs. Osborn, Eber (her 
son), two of the Kinmans, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and Levin 
Young were members of the first class. Of the second were 
Samuel, Rebecca, Catharine and Irene Stuckey, Thomas and Mary 
Palmer, John Mclntyre, and Fanny Mclntyre, Henry Merick, wife 
and daughter, Lydia Mclntyre, Samuel Stuckey, Jr. and Catharine 
his wife. Samuel Stuckey was the fii'st class leader. The two 
classes were in a few years merged into one. Services were held 
at Mr. Campbell's and other private residences or the old court 
house until 1835, when a small house, about 30x35 feet was erected 
a short distance from the public square. This house cost about 
$400, but was built mainly by donations in work and material. 
Tliis building served as a place of worship till 1855, when a new 
and more commodious structure was erected on the site of the old 
parsonage ground at a cost of $1,900. The following is a list of 
the presiding elders of this class: James Armstrong, James 
Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton, George Socke, Samuel Thompson, 
John Miller, Henry S. Talbot, John Kern, Jehu Keiger, Elijah 
AVhiten, Henry S. Robinson, George Walker, J. J. Stallard, Hay- 
den Hays, Aaron Turner, Grim and Talbot. Those named below 
have preached to this class at different periods: Richard Har- 
grave, son of William Hargrave of Highbanks, preached in 
1821, and joined the conference in 1824; Joseph Tarkington, 
James L. Thompson, Alfred Arrington, John M. Green, Ingle, 
Samuel Reed, Eli C. Jones, AVhiting, Caldwell, Chapman, Car- 
ter, Charles Slocum, Hobbs and Daniel Davis. This class has 
had a steady and healthful growth and now numbers about 190 
members. The salary of the pastor is $600. 

The Sabbath -school of this class was organized in 1828 and 
since 1855 has been kept running through the entire year. Among 
the Sabbath-school superintendents are named Mitchell, John 
Mclntyre, William Hawthorn and J. B. Young. 



374 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

The Metliodist Church at Union was organized at the house 
of Joshua Young. The class built a log-house of worship about 
one mile east of Union at Wesley Chapel, but a new house of 
worship was built at Union in 1881 and the class was changed to 
that place. O. H. Chapman, I. C. Jones, Wilkinson, Spencer 
and Patterson were some of the older ministers; the later were 
three of the Woodses, Davis, Hilliard and McRoberts. This class 
has an elegant house of worship and has a membership of about 
100. 

Mount Pleasant class was organized in 1856, at the Bailey 
Schoolhouse in Logan Township by N. Patterson. Bailey re- 
mained the place of worship till about 1860. The house was 
erected by John Smith and Elias Hunt, the }rincipal donors be- 
ing Thomas Bailey, Richardson, Jenkins, Wesley Whitehead, 
Felix Falls and William Smith. The first members were Thomas 
Bailey and wife, J. Richardson and wife, Felix Falls and wife, 
Wesley Whitehead and wife, A. Hoover and wife, William Smith 
and wife. The total strength now is about seventy. 

There are two classes of the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch in 
Jefferson, one at Pleasant Grove, the other at Otwell. The one at 
Otwell was organized in 1858 with about twelve members. The 
class has been reasonably prosperous and in 1863 built a neat 
church house about 30x30 feet. 

United Brethren Church. — These people have the follow- 
ing church organizations in Pike County; Otwell, Cup Creek, 
Atkinson Chapel, Butler Chapel, and White River Chapel. 
The latter was built in 1867. This house was erected by private 
donation, mainly by Washington and Samuel Vansickle, William 
Crandall, William Foust, and William Sappenfield This church 
also has a very neat parsonage, and a membership of about forty. 
The following ministers have preached to this people: Jacob 
Scammahorn, J. W. Tucker, R. Binkley, John Elliott, Lewis 
Jameson, James M. Fowler, Joseph Bosley, William F. Green, 
John Grubb, E. Thomas, Thomas Butler, Thomas Hitchcock, 
John H. Barnett, Martin Tucker, A. H. Chittenden, B. W. Bow- 
man, C. C. Rucker, I. K. Haskins, and J. W. DeMunbrun. The 
following have been elders: L. S. Chittenden, John Elliott, 
Jacob Scammahorn, John Breeden, Daniel Shuck, J. O. Current, 
J. M. Fowler, I. K. Haskins, and J. F. DeMunbrun. However, 



HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 37-5 

the first Ignited Brethren Church was organized at the house 
of Stephen Wheatley in the year 1834; that house stood about 
the center of where Justus Miller's orchard now is. Its mem- 
bers were John and Mary Miller, Hannah, their daughter, Abel 
and Nancy Dewitt, Martha Miller and Nancy Davis, all of 
whom were members of John Miller's family, except Nanc) 
Davis. Mr. Miller was a member of the United Brethrer 
Church when he came to this county. The first preaching was 
in his house by Aaron Farmer, a man from Perry Comity. Silas 
Davis from Dubois County near Huntingburg effected an organ- 
ization. Charles Mills was the first revivalist after the organ- 
ization. Frederick Kennawyer from Crawford was an old time 
preacher. The organization did not have regular preaching for 
some time after organization. They built their first church house 
in this county in 1853 about one mile west of Pikeville. This 
was built of hewed logs, and when raised, they used cattle to 
draw the logs to the top of the building. In 1882, the old house 
was torn down and rebuilt, with some additions, near the old site. 
It is still the place of worship for this organization. The mem- 
bership of the same is over one hundred. Butler Chapel was the 
second built in the county. The history of the other churches 
could not be procured. 

General Baptisfs. — The General Baptist denomination had its 
origin in Pike County, in a schism in the United Baptist de- 
nomination. Elder Samuel T. Thompson and James Thomas, not 
being permitted to practice free communion in the United Bap- 
tist denomination, with seventeen lay members, withdrew fi-om 
the United Baptists in the year 1851, and organized themselves 
into a church, taking the name of Flat Creek Church of Free 
Communion United Baptists, Samuel T. Thomson serving as pas- 
tor and preaching in other places. They continued a separate 
organization for about eight years; in the meantime, Ekl^r 
Thompson had organized eight churches with a membership ' f 
about 300 and had organized them into the Flat Creel 
Association of Free Communion United Baptists. Having 
become acquainted with the General Baptists, and finding their 
doctrines and usages were the same as their own, and having been 
visited by Elder T. M. Strain and G. P. Cavanaugh of Liberty As- 
sociation of General Baptists in the autumn of 1859, these eight 



;376 msTOKv of i'ikk county. 

cliuicl>'='^ «>l JjilxM-ty Ass«K-iation of (nMu'ijil Daptists wen' «ii-i;;ui- 
ized into an association takin«^ the name of ^^lit*^l AssjH'intion . i 
(ioneral liuptists. TIk' assoeiatitm ijrew so rapiillv that it w.t-. 
tlioiii^Jit best, in the nieetin*^ of tlie association in i^iV.K to «li\ itl.- 
the association. The orii^iiial churclies in Pike and luljoinini^ 
counties were fornied into a new association ailoptiii^ the nani-^ 
of Fhd (heek Association of General IJaptists. The foUowini^ 
churches were the ori<(inal churches ori^anizesl hy Ehler Thojuj)- 
son: Flat C'reek. Bethel, Mount Olive. Little Bethany. Mount 
Zion, Enon, and lvi(l«.^e. In 1870, the assiu'iatiou cont^iined *i.0l7 
conmnmicants. but beconiiiij^ so largt>. a nunilmr of the churclu's 
were detached and added to a new {issociation. The Flat 
Creek Association in lS?Sl numbered o(K) members, not all, 
however, lived in Pike County. The following were pioneer min- 
isters: Elder Thomas Boling, Simetm Wixxl, William T. Hop- 
kins, and Samuel T. Thompson; other ministers: AVilliam M. 
Chisser, J. J. Laswell, J. W. Shouse, J. G. Jackman, I. Smith, 
R. M. Lucas, A. C. West, D. F. Philips, J. N. Baggarly, J. 
Evans, William F. Robertson and F. E. King. Elder Samuel 
T, Thompson may very properly be considered the founder of this 
[)eople as he organized most of the churches that first c<mstituted 
it, with several others that were left in the United Association. 
The association for 1885 rejx)rted the following churches with 
their membership in the county: 

Flat Creek Chui-ch, A. C. West, pastor, membership, 1)1; 
Shepherd's Chapel, A. E. Wood, 35; Liberty, W. M. Chesser, US; 
AVhite River, AV. M. Chesser, 30; Mount Tabor, G. T. Hutchin- 
son, 37; Olive Branch, H. C. Clinton, 20; Winslow, W. M. Ches- 
ser, 02; New Liberty, A. C. West 5(); Pikeville, A. C. West, 27; 
Pleasant Hope, A, C. West, 77. 

Rrgiildi' Bapfisfs. — The first preaching by the Regular Bap- 
tists, was about the year 1811, at the residence of Col. Henry 
Hopkins, by Elders Alex Diven. William Hanks, William Rick 
ets and Jeremiah Cash. The first church was organized near 
High Banks alxmt 1810, at Randle Letts. 

Our best mtormation is that David Hornaday, John Colwell 
I ,.n'i Kinman, Capt. Isaac Coan, Joseph Chew, Jonathan Postle- 
wait. Duncan. Judge Hammond, and possibly their families 
nelongeil also: amonsr these Hornaday and C^'^h were preach*»»^ 



HISTORY OF PIK1-: COUNTY. 377 

A seliism arose ain,)iig the Regnkr an.l Missionary Baptists, and 
the. ehurcli was ruined— most of the members joining the Univer- 
salists; a result of questions that '-gender strife," and are of "no 
profit." The following is an account t)f the churches in Pike 
County: Harvy's Creek Church was constituted at the house of 
James Lumsdale, a short distance west of Union, February 
'N. l,S2:i. bv Elders Alevnn lo,- Diven and William Hanks. 
Among the members of the constitution were William Wright and] 
wife. Fielding Colvin and wife, Mary Lumsdale, Elizabeth Shaw-' 
hail and Elizabeth Davidson. The first was a log church, built 
031 the land of Dc. Josapli Davidson. Alex Diven was the first 
pastor. Their pastirs have been Jeremiah Cash, Samuel Fitten- 
ger. James Strickland, A. D. Newton, J. C. Riggin, Charles 
Sands, J. W. Arnold, and J. AV. Richardson, the present pastor. 
Tiiey worship at Gladdish Chapel. Since Elder Richardson's pas- 
torate, the church has increased from thirteen to eighty-five. 
Little Zion was organized January 8, 1S4S, at the residence 
of Elizabeth Colvin, by Elders Larkeii Burchfield and Samuel 
Fettinger. The following names are in the constitution: James 
Kinman and wife, John Kinman and wife, David Hillman and 
wife, George Fettinger and wife, and eight others, all of whom 
were dismissed by letter from Harvey's Creek Church to form a new 
one. Elder Fettinger was the first pastor and served till July, 1855 ; 
James Strickland from that time till December 14, 18G7 ; Charles 
Sands until October 10, 1870; James Strickland again till No- 
vember 8, 1874, Avhen J. W. Richardson became pastor. The 
church has a convenient house of worship about one-half mile 
from Union, with a membership of seventy-six. 

Pleasant Ridge Church was organized at the Pleasant Ridge 
meeting-house, south of Petersburg, Saturday, November 23, 
1872. There were thirty-three members in the constitution, all 
<»t" whom had been members of the White River Church. There 
were three ministers behmging to this church, yet it elected no 
regular pastor till January. ls7r>. when it chose Elder J, W. 
Richardson, who served through eight prosperous years; then it 
chose Elder AVilliam Gammon. The membership is now seventy- 
seven. 

South Fork Church was organizeil at Pleasantville, March 
19. 18»)4. It was composed of eighteen members of the AValnut 



:]78 HISTORV OF PIKE COUNTY. 

(Ti'ove Cl'ti'-.ii of Warrick County. Elder Samuel Fettinger had 
bet a preaching in the neighljorhootl two or three years betorc 
the church was constituted at South Fork, and was the first pas- 
tor. By the labors of Elders Fettinger, Strickland, Thomas, 
Arnold, Hume and others, this church reached nearly 100 in num- 
bers, when a division arose of the question of secret societies. 
The majority kept the house, and the minority withdrew to Pleas- 
nntville. The first is called the Radical Anti-Secret Society 
[tart}' of South Fork, and numbers less than fifty; the other was 
pronounced by a council of six churches to be the '' South Fork 
C^hurch in order." Neither branch, however, tolerates secret 
S(^>cieties ; the last named body now numbers 108 members. There 
is no essential difference in doctrines or practices between the 
two factions, and the ''preacher jealousy" seems to have been the 
real cause of the difficulty. Elder "William S. Green is pastor of 
the Pleasantville Church. 

White River Church was organized at the house of Jeremiah 
Arnold in Jefferson Township on the 11th of April, 1835, by 
Elders Jeremiah Cash, Lewis Duncan, and Elihu Holcomb. Elder 
Cash was its first pastor, and he Avas succeeded by Elder Fettin- 
ger, who served till 1872, when Elder J. W, Richardson was 
chosen, who has since served as pastor. In 1872, thirty-three 
members of this church were dismissed by letter, to constitute 
Pleasant Ridge Church. Since that time the old body has 
increased to seventy, and has built a neat house, Arnold Chapel, 
about six miles east of Petersburg. 

Patoka Association. — All of the foregoing churches, and 
AValnut Grove, which house is in Warwick County, once be- 
longed to Salem Association, but in October, were organized into 
a ueAv association called Patoka Association, at Gladdish Chapel, 
five miles west of Petersburg. 

At the meeting of the association in 1880 it numbered 370, 
in 1884 it numbered 531. 

The meeting of the association is on Friday before the second 
Sunday in October. To place the Regular Baptists before the 
public properly on one point of doctrine their Ninth Article of 
Faith is here quoted: 

Ai-t. IX. "We believe that all persons who die while in a state 
of infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the 
spirit." 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 379 

Lutheran Church at Stendal. — The Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of the Augsburg confession was organized in 1860, with 
eight members: Frederic Salman, Sr., Henry Gille, Kudolf 
Butka, Christian Kebber, Frederick Brust, Frederick Pickhart, 
Henry Katterjohn and Henry Wellmeyer. 

Not being able to keep a pastor and build a house they held 
their meetings at Frederick Salman's, which meetings were con- 
ducted by Rev. F. A. Graetz, from Holland, Dubois County, who 
was of the same denomination. In 1863 they built a log church, 
28x36 feet, at a cost of about $150. At this time the church 
called Rev. W. G. C. Bauermeister, who remained among them 
twelve years. His work proved a success, for at the expiration 
of that time the congregation numbered sixty members and had 
built a new church 40x60 feet, with a tower eighty feet high, at 
a cost of $2,500, together with a parsonage 16x32 feet, two sto- 
ries high, at a cost of $600. In 1879 Rev. Bauermeister accept- 
ed a call from a congregation in Dearborn County, and Rev. E. 
Mahlberg came in his stead and remained three years, when he 
answered a call from Pittsburgh, Penn. The present minister is 
the Rev. August Stein, 

The present membership is sixty. The church maintains a 
day-school, four days of the week, during the winter months, and 
Sunday-school during the summer. Henry Gille and Rud(5if 
Butka are the only two living members of the first organization. 
These two were then, as now, the leading members of the church. 
The' church holds services every Sunday at 10 o'clock. Rev. 
Bauermeister donated two acres of ground for a church, parson- 
age and graveyard. 

Missionary Baptists. — On the authority of the Rev. Lewis 
Loveless, we give the following: "The Missionary Baptist 
Church of Pike County is not numerically strong. There are 
four churches, numbering about 200 members." 

The oldest of these is Union, two miles southwest of Peters- 
burg, the county seat. It was organized in 1836, by Elder Will- 
iam Stansil, with some assistance from the Daviess County 
churches. Its original members were Oias Smith and wife, 
Newton Battles and wife, James Upton and wife, and Andrew 
Johnson. In its early history it had a hard controversy with its 
anti-mission brethren, who opposed an educated ministry. Sab- 



•'>'-■ HISTORY OF PIKE COUJSrTV. 

batli-sclii' ■!. domestic and foreign missions. The o])posiiig 
brptLreu withdrew from the church, and formed a new org"ni/. - 
tion, which soon perished. Its former pastors were Elders t'. 
Slater, P. H. Evans, Lewis Loveless and the present. AVilliani 
Hoagland. It has a gooa house of worship, and numbers about 
eighty members. Lick Creek, about two miles east of Peters- 
burg, was organized by Elder Lewis Loveless, assisted by Wilson 
Creek Church, in 1872. Its charter members were A. B. Green 
and wife, Hiram Purcell and James Rhoades. It has no house 
of worship, but does have preaching once a month, by Elder A. 
B. Green. Hosmer Baptist Church was organized in 1872, by' 
Elder W. O. Camp, who was its pastor for two or three years. 
It has an interest in a good house of worship, Init no preaching. 
Its original members were Forde DeJarnett, Dr. J. F. Smith, 
Mrs. Christina DeJarnett, Daniel DeJarnett and William Martin. 
The Baptist Church of Petersburg was organized by Elder P. H, 
Evans, assisted by the Union Baptist Church, in 1880, Elder 
Evans preached for it for some time, but resigned for other fields 
of labor, since which time this church has been without preach- 
ing. Some of the members of this church are Emily Morgan, 
W. O. Carter, Benjamin Wyatt and Mrs. Harrison. The man 
who built up a sentiment favorable to the Baptists, more than 
any other, was Elder P. H. Evans, who took charge of Union 
Church in 1860, and preached the word with power. Large num- 
bers were added under his ministry, but since his ministry the 
members have greatly diminished. The prayer of the Baptists is : 
"Lord, send more laborers into Thy vineyard." 

Presbyter iun Church. — The Presbyterian Church of Peters- 
burg was organized under the direction of the Vincennes Presby- 
tery, May 20, 1848, by Rev. John McCord with the following 
original members: Thomas Davidson, and Isabella his wife, 
Joseph A. Gray and Nancy M. his wife, Mrs. Margaret Hawthorn, 
John Hawthorn, Sarah Hawthorn, and Mrs. Sarah B. Posey. 
For some time the little band was supplied regularly with preach- 
ing by Rev. H. Patten of Princeton, afterward by Rev. S. McGuire 
of Washington, wha for nearly two years gave them one-fourth 
of his time. In the spring of 1853 Rev. Abraham T. Hendi-icks 
took charge of the church and ministered to it acceptably and 
successfully until the spring of 1803 when he left for a chaplaincy 



HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 381 

in the army. He was succeeded by Rev. John T. Aughey who 
had been a chaplain and escaped from a rebel prison. Mr. 
Aughey supplied however but six months. The church next 
enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Henry W. Fisk who began his 
labors with them in the spring of 1865, and remained until the 
autumn of 1870, when he left on account of ill health. Rev. 
E. C. Johnson, his successor, was the first regularly installed 
pastor of the church, and labored faithfully from the summer of 
1871 to the summer of 1878, when his physical strength was ex- 
hausted, and he went from the pulpit directly to his bed of death. 
He was greatly beloved by his people and sincerely mourned b} 
the entire community. Rev. M. L. Milford was next called 
and installed as pastor in March. 1879. He continued his labors 
until the summer of 1882 when he resigned on account of impaired 
health. Rev. David Van Dyke came from Michigan in an- 
swer to a call to the pastorate in March, 1883. His ministry was 
characterized by zeal and energy, and during his brief stay he 
secured the erection of a manse. He closed his labors with the 
church, December 1, 1884, having accepted a call to the First 
Avenue Presbyterian congregation in Evansville. Rev. A. W. 
Freeman is now ministering to the church as pastor-elect. It 
would be an unpardonable omission in this historical sketch not 
to mention the Rev. Thomas Martin who came to Petersburg from 
Martinsburg, Va., in 1855 and resided here till his death in 1872. 
Though an invalid and incapable of preaching, his influence and 
usefulness were very great. By his liberal contributions, his 
council and his aid in the judge's meeting, and in the Sabbath- 
school — in all these and other ways as also by his exemplary 
walk and conversation — he assisted much to build up this church, 
and in his family he has left it a rich legacy. Mention should 
also be made of Thomas Davidson, an original member 
and an elder from the organization of the church till his death in 
1874. Faithful to the duties of his office, he gave largely of his 
m^ans toward building the house and maintaining worship within 
it, and when without a minister, he often read a sermon, aided by 
Brother Martin who took charge of the introductory and conclud- 
ing services. The congregation has a comfortable edifice, erected 
(luring the ministry of Rev. A. T. Hendricks as appears from 
the following record made by him in the session book: " October 



382 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

1, 1854. This Sabbath was the first ever spent by the church in 
their own house. It was with evident delight that they convened 
and united in the observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper. May it be truly a house of prayer and praise." The 
eligible lot was donated by Joseph P. Glezen, the lumber by 
Kobert P. Hawthorn, and the bell by Mrs. Hendricks with the 
assistance of her two brothers, two sisters and a brother-in-law, 
viz. : Jasper W. Blythe, Cranberry, N. J. ; James E. Blythe, 
Evansville, Ind. ; Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, Carrollton, Ky. ; Mrs. 
Mary Haynes, Bardstown, Ky. ; and George Green, Trenton, N. 
T. The present number of communicants is about sixty -five. 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

CHAKLES D. ALEXANDEE, a native of Pike County, 
was born on the farm, where he now lives, February 25, 1825. 
He is the second of nine children in the family of Jesse and 
Maria Alexander, both natives of North Carolina, from which 
State, in 1824, they came to Pike County. They bought a farm 
in Washington Township, upon which they afterward resided. 
The father died in April, 1851, and the mother followed him to 
the grave in 18(35. Charles D. remained with his parents, work- 
ing on the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age. He 
then went to Jasper, where he worked at the cooper's trade for 
two years. At the death of his father he returned home and 
managed the farm until his marriage. He then located on a farm 
east of Petersburg, where he remained two years, after which he 
removed to another farm, which he sold to Morris Tucker. He 
then removed to Petersburg where he was engaged in the agri- 
cultural implement business, and as a mail route contractor for 
nine years. Since that time he has resided upon the homestead 
farm. He now owns about 400 acres of good land, and is recog- 
nized as one of the substantial men of the count}-. He has been 
three times married. He chose for his first wife Pamelia Thomas, 
whom he married October 20, 1853. She died April 21, 1864, 
leaving two children, now Mrs. Leslie Lamb and Mrs. Elijah 
Malott. October 29, 1865, he was joined in marriage with Emily 
Denson, who died October 0, 1866, leaving one child, Jennetta, 
since deceased. His third wife, Elizabeth C. Wheeler, is the 
mother of five children. Those living are Albert B.. Walter B., 
Fred B. and Waughneta G. Mr. Alexander has been a Republican 
since the organization of that party, and previous to that time 
was a Whig. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and his wife is a General Baptist. 

CAPT. A. H. ALEXANDER, fire insurance agent and justice 
of the peace of Petersburg, Ind., is a native of Dubois County, 



384 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Tnd., Ir^in February 15, 1827. He is the fifth of the nine chil- 
'hen. born to tlie marriage of Ashljury Alexander and Eli/,al»(',-h 
Lindsey. natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, ri^spectively. 
The father, when al)(>ut twenty-six years of age, came to Indiana, 
and h)cated in Pike (loui'sty in 1811, and the foHowing year was 
married. He soon after removed to Avhat is now Dubois t'ounty, 
where Iw remained until l8;jl, when he went to Daviess County. 
He died there April 1-1. 18r)2. The mother died in the same 
county, Febi-uary 27, I8()i}. A. H. Alexander was reared at home, 
receiving his education in the old log house of that day. At the 
age of twenty-three he married and located on a farm about four 
miles from Petersburg, where he remained until 185'.*. In that 
year he removed to Jasper, where he was engaged in a general 
merchandise business until 18()1; at the breaking out of the war 
he assisted in raising Com[)any E, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, with which company he went into service as its first 
lieutenant and June 2, 1802, was made its captain. He served in 
that capacity until the battle of Stone River, Avlien he received a 
ijunshot wound in the arm and side. June 1, 18()H, he resiiriic'd 
his commission on account of disability and returned home. Dur- 
ing Octol^er and November of that year he raised Company F, 
Tenth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served as captain until 
mustered out August 31, 18()5. Besides the battle of Htone Biver, 
he j)articipated in battles of Perryville, Shiloh, Corinth. Nashville, 
Decatur (Ala.), Fort Blakey (Ala.), and numerous lesser en- 
gagements. Since the war he has resided in Petersburg, engaged 
in his present business. He is now serving his sixth term as jus- 
tice of tlie peace. April 12, 1849 he wa . joined in marriage Avith 
Lucy Smith, a native of thxn chanty, and to their union have been 

)orn four children, only two of whom, IV. .ry antl Laura ( now Mrs. 
Mart Fleener) are living. Both Cape. Alexander and wife are 

nembers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is also a 
member of G. A. E. and A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican. 

JAMES RALPH ADAMS, M. D., a prominent physician of 
Petersburg, Ind., was born in Knox County, March 10, 1824, sou 
of William and Grace ( Roberts ) Adams who were the parents of 
nine children. The father was of Irish descent but born in Penn- 
sylvania. He came to Indiana in 180(5 when he Avas about ten 
years old, and located in Knox County. He lived a farmer's life 
and died in 18()(). The mother was born and raised in Wales, and 
came to the United States with her parents when she was a young 
lady nearly groAvn. James R. received a better education than 
the average boy of his times, and after attaining his majority he 
taught school two years, and at, the same time studied medicine. 
He attended the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati during 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ^^' 



the sessions nf 1 ^4T 4s 4'.». tlieii came to Peterslmvg anJ puu - 
-oa hi^ ,>rotessi<.u two vears. and then roturneJ to Cinemuati 
ZT LLiM a vear later. He tlien resumed Ins practice 
ht; ;:"th:.s Ve,uai.ea ever since. n.eeti..g with i^^terin^ 
Inccess Of h.te v.nrs he has rather retired troni active lite. 
Inis:,4 he nr.rn'.d Sandi MctVilhis. a natneot Jasper, Iml 
Thevl-c.nne the parents of three ehihlren: McCri Ins. Howard 
Vi^;>and Eli.nl>etl. (deceased,. 1>- ;^^^-- ^-^/^ ^^.^ ^f ^^ 
Whi- and l>ve,mMu-an. He is a .nend>er <.t the I. O. O. I. fia- 
terni'tv He has resi.h'd in the county thirty years and is consid- 
er..! a eonipetent practitioner an.l Avide-awake eiti/en. He serve<! 
as sui-eon in the Fifty-ei-hth an.l Fifteenth Indiana Re^nmeuts. 

and served until 1S<)4. ,. t^-i /i 

D \NIEL C \SH15Y. clerk of the circuit court ot 1 ike Coun- 
tv. Ind.^ and native of the county, was born January 2. ^^^f ^^^l^^'f 
one of ten children born to Peyton and Louisa (^(.row) AsMn. 
The father, who was a practical farmer, was born and raised m 
Pike Couiitv. where he married and raised a large family. He 
was well and favorablv known as au unpretentious and upright 
citizen He is now deceased but his wife still lives m the county . 
In isr,l our subiect enlisted as a private in Company D.J^itty- 
oi.dith Indiana Infantry, and ser^e^l in this <;apacrty until May 
isr,2 Avhen he was discharged cm acccmnt ot disability contractecl 
durin- service. August ir,, lKr,2 he re-enlisted in Company H 
Ei<rhtieth Indiana Infantry and served as private, sergeant and 
^Smd lieutenant of his c<mipany until April, ^f ^^' -l^.^X! 
promoted to first lieutenant, serving until Deceniber lo. 1^ '|;jl^ 
L was womnled at the battle of Nashville '^^^^^as niusteied m 
Mav 15 isr.r, He then returned home and attended school t^^o 
or three vears. In lS(ir. lie was a candidate for c(mnty auditor 
on the Democratic ticket but was defeated by three majority He 
then continued attending school until 1N(»S. when he .^^s elected 
recorder of Pike County and served two terms. 1"^^'\\^^ ^^^^ 
elected to his present office, and has filled it yerv efticiently tw<> 
terms by re-election. April 18. isTO he wedded trances Cxi fl^i 
who dieJlJanuarvU.lSTd leaving two children: Frederu^ H 
and Frances A. February 7. 1SS(». Mr. Ashby niarried II01.1 
Hargrave, his present wife. He is a mend)er of the I. O. U. 1 . 
and G. A. Pv. and K. (^f L. Mr. Ashby is an industrious, compe- 
tent official and an enterprising mend)er of society. 

HENRY C BRENTON. one of the enterprising and progres- 
sive farmers of Pike County, is the s^econd son of Wesley Bi^ntom 
deceased. (See sketch of Peter I. Brenton. ) He is a naave ot 
the county, having been born in Washington Township, April 1<). 
1 840 He has been engaged in farming all his life, and is well in- 
formed on all subjects pertaining to the most advanced ideas on agri- 



386 HISTOKV OF rilvK COUNTY. 

culture. He has a fine t'ai'm and has ilone mut-li to raise the stand- 
arrl ot farmers in this romity. He is also one of their : : ..• 
spirits in kee})ing up tlie only graui^^er's organization in tliis t>art 
of Indiana. Mr. lirenton obtained a good. [)ractical edueatitu: in 
liis youth. He remained at home until the breaking out of tlu' 
Rebellion, Avhen. June 2. 1^)1. he enlisted in ('oni[)any C. Seven- 
teenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, witli which rv'giment he served 
until mustered out at Mace »n. (la.. August 1^. ISC,,""). He })arti('i]>ated 
in the battles of Chiekamauga and Kenesavv Mcmntain.the Ath;nta 
campaign and the siege of Atlanta, besides nuuier«ms engage- 
ments of less note. JanuaFV I. iSliS, he was united in marriagr^ 
with Kate Harper of Gibson County, and to them have been born 
three children, Ella, Julia and Marv. Mr. Brenton is a member 
of the I. O. O. R, F. *fc A. M.. a.\\. R. K. of L.. A. O. U. W.. 
and the Grangers. In ])olities he is a member of the Natioiird 
Greenback party, and has been deputy sheriff of Pike County to?- 
two terms, during which time he performed the greater [)art of 
the duties of that office. 

PETER BRENTON, one of the oldest native residents of 
Pike County, was born February IS, IM',). He received but 
little education in youth, partly owing to his dislike of school. 
Previous to his marriage, he followed varicms occupations such as 
wool-carding. Hat-boating, etc. December 28, 1S41. he married 
Nancy Tislow and soon after located on eighty acres of his [)resent 
farm. He now has 200 acres of Avell improved land. He is the 
father of six children, three of Avhom, Helen A., widow of Daniel 
Hawkins, John and Wesley are living. Mr. Brenton is the 
youngest child of Peter Brenton, in whose honor Petersburg 
was named. The latter was born in Mercer Co\inty, Ky.. 
and came to this (bounty about the beginning of the present cen- 
tury. His principal business was that of farming, though he, at 
one time, ran a carding machine in Petersburg. When the seat 
of justice of Pike County was selected, he gave the greater |)art 
of the land for the site. He was a man of considerable ability, 
and was one of the first commissioners of the county. He was 
twice married. His first wife was Eleanor Smith who died in 
1823. About three years later he married Elizabeth Johnson. 
He was a member of the militia during the war of 1812, and re- 
ceived a land warrant for his services. 

PETER I. BRENTON, one of the most prominent farmers 
in Pike County, is a grandson of the founder of Petersburg, 
and a son of Wesley Brenton. The latter was born in Peters- 
burg, in December, 1812. He married Betsey A. Crow, and 
lived upon a farm southeast of Petersburg. His death occurred 
October, 1864. He was the father of six sons and four daughters, 
the subject of this memoir is the oldest. Peter I. v/as 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 387 

born October 17, 1837. He remained at home until after attain- 
ing his majority, after which he rented and worked land for five 
years. He then bought 15() acres of land upon which he has 
since resided and to which he has added until he now has 240 
acres. He has erected one of the finest residences in the county, 
and by his energy, economy and business ability has become one 
of the county's wealthiest men. December 29, 1859, he was 
united in marriage with Minerva E. Alexander, a native of Ken- 
tucky. They have only one child, William H. To him they 
have given a finished education. Having graduated at the uni- 
versity of Michigan, he is now employed as a civil engineer by 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. Brenton and wife 
are members of the General Baptist Church. He is also a Mason, 
and in politics a Republican. 

JOHN BRENTON, trustee of Washington Township, Pike 
County, Ind., was born October 27, 1853, and is one of four chil- 
dren in the family of Peter and Nancy (Tislow) Brenton, 
who were natives of the county in which they have passed their 
lives. The grandfather, Peter Brenton, was one of the fii-st set- 
tlers of the town which was named in honor of him. John Bren- 
ton received his education in the schools of the county and at 
Oakland City. He remained at home, working on the farm in 
summer and teaching school in winter, until he was about twenty- 
seven years old. After marriage he settled on a farm, which he 
had previously purchased, and upon which he has since resided,' 
He now owns 121 acres of land in the township. In August, 
1884, he opened a meat market in Petersburg, which he has 
since conducted with good success. He deals, also, in live stock 
to some extent. April 16, 1882, he was united in marriage to 
Christina I. Argenbright, a native of Crawford County, Ind. 
They have one child: Ethel, born April 14, 1883. In politics 
Mr. Brenton is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising citi- 
zens of Pike County. 

ALEXANDER R. BYERS, M. D., of Petersburg, Ind., is one 
of a large family of children born to the marriage of Thomas and 
Margaret (Hamilton) Byers, who were natives of Pennsylvania, 
where they lived and died. Alexander was born in Washington 
County, Penn., June 15, 1829. At the age of fifteen he entered 
the West Alexander Academy, and completed his course when he 
was twenty. He then taught school for about a year in Ohio, 
and also began the study of medicine. He came to Indiana in 
1851, and soon after located in Clark County, where he taught 
school two years. He then came to Petersburg, and taught 
school for about seven months, and shortly after entered the office 
of Prof. J. R. Wilcox, M. D., of Evansville, Ind., and also at- 
tended lectures at the medical college, of that city. He practiced 



388 HISTOIIY OF PIKE COUxNTV. 

medicine with his preceptor for about three months, when the 
latter died, and our subject returned to Petersburg in Septem- 
ber, 1854. In 18(51 he was commissioned first-lieutenant of Com- 
pany I, Forty-second Indiana Volunteers, and served in that 
capacity in the war of the Rebellion for about eight months. In 
August, 18»)2, he was aj)pointed first assistant-surgeon of the 
Sixty-fifth Indiana Regiment, and in 18C3 was appointed sur- 
geon of the regiment, serving until March, when he re- 
turned home and resumed his practice. In 1856 he married 
Mary Morgan, who died in July, 1858, leaving one child, Mary 
V. In November, 1866, he married Mary F. Hammond. They 
have six children: Harry W., Anna M., Perry H., John A., Ol- 
iver A. and Ethel May. Mr. Byers is a Republican, and a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., also of the Tri-State, Indiana State and Pike 
County Medical Societies. He and wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

THOMAS A. BYNUM, local editor of the Democrat, was born 
in Greene County, Ind., July 14, 1859. His father, Daniel A. 
Bynum, was a native of North Carolina, from which State, when 
a youth, he came with his parents to Indiana and located in Greene 
County. There he grew to manhood, was married and lived until 
1869, when he removed to Daviess County, where he remained 
the greater part of the time until his death, which occurred in 
March, 1883. He was extensively engaged in farming, stock- 
raising and merchandising. He was treasurer of Greene County 
for two terms. He married Emma J. Allen, by whom he was the 
father of ten children, of whom Thomas A., was the sixth. The 
latter was reared at home, receiving his education in the schools of 
Washington, Ind. .In 1875 he entered the office of the Washing- 
ton Gazette where he remained three years. He then went to 
Vincennes with the proprietor of the Gazette, who established 
the Commercial in that city. He worked on that paper about 
one year, and the remainder of the time until 1881, he was em- 
ployed in the office of the Vincennes Sun. The greater part of 
the time during the next three years, he worked on the Courier- 
Journal at Louisville, Ky. Since September, 1884, he has been 
employed on the Democrat. 

CHARLES ADAM BURGER, merchant tailor, of Peters- 
burg, Ind., was born in Bavaria, December 2, 1842, son of Jos^pih 
abd Henrietta (Rudolph) Burger. The father died in the old 
country, in 1880. Our subject was raised with his 'parents ia 
Bavaria, securing a fair education in German, also some knowl- 
edge of French and Latin. He learned his present business 
of his father. When eighteen years old he came to the United 
States, and worked at his trade in Erie, Penn. ; Cincinnati, Ohio ; 
Louisville, Ky. ; Buffalo, N. Y., and New York City, and finally 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 389 

caine to Petersburg. in 1865, where he has remained ever since. 
He is a flourishing and successful tailor, and has the only estab- 
lishment of the kind in the city. He owns the large brick block 
on Main Street, tvhere he does business. It was erected in 1883. 
March 23, 1868, he married Elizabeth Harseh, a native of Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. They have eight children — five sons and three 
daughters. He is a Eepublican and Mason, and was born in the 
Catholic faith, but attends the Presbyterian Church with his 
family, who are members. Mr. Burger takes an active interest 
in all worthy enterprises, and has been director of the bank since 
its organization. His brother, John, has been his partner in 
business for about six years. 

WILLIAM J. BETHELL, auditor of Pike County, Ind., was 
born October 11, 1848, and is one of five children born to the 
marriage of John B. Bethell and Elizabeth Fitzgerald. The 
father is now a resident of Warrick County (see sketch). Will- 
iam J. Bethell was raised with his parents on the farm in his 
native county of Warrick, obtaining only a limited education in 
his boyhood days, but which he has improved in later years by 
contact with business life. At the age of twenty or twenty-one, he 
began clerking in a store in his native county, continuing there 
one year, then studied medicine two years, and practiced that pro- 
fession in Folsomville until 1873, then he came to Pike County 
and established a good practice at Winslow, where he remained 
until 1878, when he removed to White Oak and continued his 
practice, meeting with good success. In 1882, he was elected by 
the Republican and Greenback parties to the office of audi- 
tor of Pike County, and is now filling that office to the 
satisfaction of all. Although Mr. Bethell' s political views 
were with the Greenback party, and he was first nominated 
by them, yet to-day his political views are Republican. He has 
been very unfortunate in matrimonial life, and is now living 
with his third wife, having lost two previously by death. He 
has three children; a daughter by his second wife, and a 
son and daughter by his present wife, whose maiden name 
was Effie Wells. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. 
fraternities, and is a courteous and upright officer, and good citi- 
zen. 

JOHN CROW, ex-sheriff and clerk, was born in Pike Coun- 
ty, August 27, 1833. He is the seventh child in a family of 
ten children, born to the marriage of William Crow and Mary 
Shaw, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The 
grandfather, Robert Crow, about 1802, came with his family to 
Indiana, and settled in the eastern part of what is now Gibson 
County, then Knox County. A short time after his arrival, he 
was made sheriff of Knox County, which office he was filling at 



390 BISTORT OF PIKE COUNTY. 

the time of his death. He was killed bj a fall from hi« 
horse while at a muster about 1809 or 1810. William Crow, 
then a lad, was bound out to a saddler in Princeton, Ind. 
After completing his apprenticeship, he came to Pike County, waa 
married^ and became one of the first residents of Petersburg. 
About 1830, he moved to a farm near Winslow, and lived in that 
vicinity the remainder of his life. He died April 22, 1870, and 
his wife in May, 1878. John was reared at home, receiving but 
little instruction in the schools, though he has since obtained a 
good practical education through his own efforts. In 1853, in 
company with Daniel Crow and Dr. G. B. Montgomery, he opened 
a store on the canal below Hosmer. After six months Montgom- 
ery withdrew, and in less than a year afterward, Daniel Crow 
died, when the business was turned over to the latter' s heirs. 
John Crow then engaged in farming and teaclimg school. In 
1854, he bought a farm in Marion Township which he owned 
until about 1865. He has since bought and sold several farms, 
and is now the owner of over 500 acres of land in Jefferson Town- 
ship. He has served eight years as sheriff of the county, and 
filled the clerk's office one term, having been one of the most 
popular officers the county has ever had. He was also candidate 
for auditor on the Republican ticket, but was defeated, the coun- 
ty being largely Democratic at the time. During the summer of 
1885, he purchased a one-half interest in the Champion Steam 
Flouring-mills at Petersburg, though he still gives considerable 
attention to farming. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company H» 
Twenty-fourth Indiana Volrinteer Infantry, with which regiment 
he served until honorably discharged on account of disability. 
May 21, 1870, he married l*ennessee Traylor, a native of the 
county, by whom lie is the father of five children, four of whom, 
William D., Edna M., Charles B. and Prentice M., are living. Mr. 
Crow is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Republi- 
can. 

MARTIN CONDER, a native of Boyle County, Ky., came to 
this county in 1863. He bought 120 acres of the farm upon 
which he has since resided, and to which he has added until he 
now h«w 200 acres. He gives considerable attention to stock- 
raising, and has been very successful in his business. Mr. Con- 
der was born December 10, 1829, and is the seventh of ten 
children bom to Peter and Lucinda (Hack) Conder, natives of 
G^rmany^ fmd Virginia respectively. The father, when an infant, 
came to the tJnited States with his parents who located in Tennes- 
see, and later removed to Kentucky. There Peter Conder was 
married, and, with the exception of a few months in Indiana, 
passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1865, and his 
widow afterward came to this county, where she lived until her 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 391 

death, which occurred in August, 1875. Martin was reared at 
home, where he remained until attaining his majority. He then 
rented land for three years, after which he bought a farm. He 
chose for a wife Kachel A. Gray, whom he married January 
22, 1852. Four children have been born to this union: John 
F., the eldest, married Carrie Hawkins; Margaret E. is now Mrs. 
Jefferson HoUon ; Nancy J. is the wife of Amos C. Hawkins : and 
Anna E. married George W. Lawrence. She died leaving one 
child, Bettie B. Mr. Conder is a good farmer, and recognized as 
an honest, upright citizen. Both he and his wife are members of 
the Christian Church. 

SIMEON B. CARLETON, M. D., of Petersburg, Ind., is a 
son of Henry and Martha (Williams) Carleton, who were natives 
of Virginia. Our subject is one of eleven children, and was born 
in Hardin County, Ky., February 17, 1840. When twelve years 
of age his mother died, and he and an elder brother came to 
Spencer County, Ind., where Simeon worked as a farm laborer 
during the summer and attended school during the winter, and 
when twenty years of age began teaching school, continuing at 
that business until 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany E, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteers. He served his country 
gallantly for three years in the war of the Rebellion. He then 
returned to Spencer County and resumed teaching. He also 
studied medicine under Dr. Camp, and practiced that profession 
part of 1875 and 1876. He attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in 1876, and in 1880 graduated from an institution there and re- 
sumed his practice. In 1883 he went to Huntingburgh, but re- 
mained there but six months, and then came to Petersburg, where 
he has lived ever since. He has a large and paying practice. 
The Doctor was married in 1868, to Mary E. Taylor, who died 
seven years later, leaving three children: Ella, William and Nel- 
lie. A year later he married Belle Anderson, by whom he is the 
father of one child — Catherine. Mrs. Carleton has also two chil- 
dren by a former marriage: John and Daisy. Dr. Carleton is a 
Republican and a Mason, and he and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a very successful 
and competent physician, and an enterprising business man. 

PERRY W. CHAPPELL was born in Pike County, Ind., 
June 24, 1842, son of Stephen and Hannah (Miller) Chappell, 
natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively. The father, 
who was of French descent, was born in Pike County in 1811. 
He passed his life raising stock and farming, and was trustee of 
the township a number of terms. His death occurred in 1873, 
The mother is still living on the homestead farm. Our subject, 
when twenty-three years old, began farming for himself on the 
home place. Three years later he removed to New Albany, Ind.. 



392 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

and oiigaged in mercantile pursuits two years, and then moved to 
Washington, Ind., and worked at the same business until 1S72. 
when he returned to Pike County. He remained in Long Branch 
two years, and then moved on a farm which he had purchased. 
Hft was elected trustee of :he township and served two terms. In 
1880 he was elected to the office of treasurer of Pike County, and 
.served two terms by re-election. In 18(51 he enlisted as a pri- 
vate in Company I, Forty-second Indiana Infantry, and served 
his country faithfully ancl well over three years. He was wound- 
ed in the shoulder and hip at the battle of Stone Eiver, and yet 
suffers from the shoulder wound. In 186-4 he married Harriett 
E. Totten, who died in 1870, leaving six children: Frances, Han- 
nah E., Harriett A., Nellie E., Dora E. and- Fielding Alexander. 
In 1878 he married Harriett L. Mather. They have three chil- 
dren: James B., Louisa D. and Merada E. Mr Chappell is a 
Mason and member of the I. O. O. F. and I. O. of R. M. 

EUGENE A. ELY, attorney at law of Petersburg, Ind., was 
born in Warsaw. Gallatin Co., Ky., October 21, 1847, and is one of 
six children born to the marriage of John E. Ely and Elizabeth 
Hatfield, natives of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., re- 
si>ectively. The father, who was a physician by profession, 
removed from Kentucky to Spencer County, Ind., in 18(54, where 
he practiced his profession until his death, June 22, 1885. The 
mother died in Kentucky in 1863. Our subject followed the life 
of a farmer from the age of ten to eighteen years, and in the 
meantime prepared himself for teaching, which profession he fol- 
lowed in Kentucky until 1868, when he came to Spencer County, 
Ind., and taught school until 1871. While teaching he was an 
energetic student -of Blackstone, and in 1871 was admitted to the 
Pike County bar and practiced law in that county until Septem- 
ber, 1873. He then came to Petersburg and established a good 
and paying practice. At different times he was in partnership 
with G. G. Reily, Levi Ferguson, C. H. Burton and lastly, with 
W. F. Townsend and Martin Fleener. They are now together 
and may be said to control the leading practice in the to^vn and 
county. April 7, 1869, Mr. Ely married Rhoda M. Frank, a 
native of Spencer County. They have three sons: Horace, 
Harry and Frank. Mr. Ely's political views are democratic. 
He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities. He 
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is one 
of Pike County's most successful practitioners. He was nom- 
inated on the Democratic ticket for judge of the Eleventh Judi- 
cial Circuit in 1884, but was defeated by a very small majority. 

MARTIN FLEENER, attorney at law of Petersburg, Ind., was 
born in Warrick County, September 15, 1851, the eldest of four 
living children of a family of eight, born to the marriage of John 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 393 

J.- Fleener and Louisa Bilderback. Both parents were born iii 
Warrick County, where the father followed farming and dealt in 
the leaf tobacco business. In 1864 the family removed to Pike 
County and located in Pleastntville, where he followed the same 
business until 1874. The tobacco business proving unsuccessful, 
he has since devoted his entire time and attention to farming. 
Martin was raised in Warrick and Pike Counties and obtained a 
very good education. He learned his father's business and when 
seventeen years old he taught two terms of school, but soon re- 
tulTied to his former occupation. At the age of twenty he went 
to 'Illinois where he worked for one season at the tobacco busi- 
ness. He then came home and was appointed deputy clerk of 
the (iounty courts and served one and a half years. He then re- 
engaged in farming at Pleasantville. In 1877 he was again ap- 
pointed deputy clerk and served until 1882, thoroughly acquaint- 
ing himself with the routine of these offices. He also served 
as assistant attorney -general of the State under T. W. Worlen; 
during 1879-80, and later was employed as expert in examining 
town and county records in Southern Indiana. In the mean- 
time he was an earnest reader of Blackstone. In 1882 he en- 
tered into partnership with A. H. Taylor in real estate and ab- 
stract title business and two years later formed his present part- 
nership under the firm name of Ely, Townsend <fe Fleener. He 
was achtnitted to the Pike County bar in March, 1885. In 1875 
he married Laura Alexander. They became the parents of three 
children: Lucy, Kate and an infant (deceased). Mr. Fleener is a 
Democrat and was chairman of the State central committee in 
1882. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

MOSES FRANK, a merchant of Petersburg, Indiana, is one 
of seven children bom to Leopold Fra^ and wife, who were natives 
of Prussia, where the mother died in 1859, and where the father 
still resides. Moses was born in Prussia, April 28, 1844. When 
fifteen years old he left home and learned the mercantile business 
of an uncle, and four years later immigrated to the United States, 
and located in Petersburg, where he clerked until 1866 for a 
brother and cousin who were engaged in the general merchandise 
business. In 1868 he engaged in the business for himself, in 
which he has continued successfully ever since. He has a fine 
stock of goods and has also engaged quite extensively in buying 
and selling wool. He deals in fine stock and real estate, and owns 
some fine farming land in the county, and some good property in 
Petersburg. In 1871 he married Josephina Levi, a native of 
Prussia. They have three living children : Gus, Bernice, and Re- 
gina. His political views are Democratic. He is an I. O. O. F., 
and a member of the Hebrew fraternity I. O. B. B. He is not a 
member of any church, but was bom in the Jewish faith. Mr. 



394 HISTORY OP PIKE COUNTY. 

Frank is a well-to-do citizen and a straightforwaid iMuinesft man 
of the county. 

JEREMIAH WRIGHT GLADISH, editor and proprietor of 
the Petersburg Press, the only I^publican newspaper in the 
eounty, was bom in Pilc^ CJounty, March 1, 1855, and is one of five 
living members of a famiiy of eight children born to the marriage 
of Richard Gladish and Eliza Ann Foster. Jeremiah W. we« 
reared on a farm, and secured in the common schools of the district 
a foundation for a more liberal education in later years. In 1874 
he became a student in the literary department of the State Uni- 
versity, and remained there one year. In 1876 he entered the 
k&w department of the same institution and became a disciple of 
Blackstona He remained there one year and then began study- 
iug law in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, receiving 
i!ie degree of L.J^. B. in 1878. He returned >">rae the same year 
and was nominee on the Republican ticket for county clerk of 
Pike County, but was defeated with the entire county ticket He 
then began practicing his profession in Shoals, Ind., and re- 
mained there until July 1, 1881, when he came to Petersburg and 
purchased the Press, which he has conducted efficiently and suo- 
eessfuUy to the present time. He has developed it from rather a 
Hmited country sheet into a newsy, flourishing, eight>column 
weekly, and has enlarged the circulation and advertisements until 
it ranks with any of the county papers in southern Indiana. April 
12, 1882, he married Louie A. Oppelt, a native of Pennsylvania. 
They have one child, Foster Oppelt. Mr. Gladish and wife are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he has 
taken an active interest in all public and private enterprises in 
town and county. He is treasurer of the town school board and 
vice-president of the local building and loan association. Mr. 
Gladish is recognized in the county as a successful and enter- 
prising new8|>aper man and a moral, upright citizen. 

WILLIAM C. HOLLO WAY, a prominent farmer of Pike 
Obunty, Ind., was bom in Brown C-ounty, Ohio, February 22, 1824. 
He is the eldest of five children born to the marriage of Isaac 
Holloway and Mary Coats, both natives of Ohio. The parents of 
Isaac, when he was an infant, joined the Shaker's communis 
near Lebanon, Ohio. He remained there until fifteen years ol 
age, when he left and went to Brown County, Ohio, where he mm 
married, and lived until about 1844, when he removed to Pike 
County, III He died Qiere about 1861 or 1862. He was twioe 
married. The mother of our subject having died in 1835, 
he was again married and had six children, William C. was 
reared at home where he remused until about twenty-cme. He 
then went to Warren Coun^, Ohio, where he worked on a farm 
by the y«ar for four years for $476, and at expiration of that 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKIICHBS. 895 

tiine he had $421, an example in econoznj which young men ot 
the present day would do well to follow. After this he leased 
iri&at was known as the (College farm near Lawrenceburgh, Ind^ 
for ten years, but remained only four years. He then came to 
Pike County and bought the farm where he has since resided. 
Mr. HoUoway is still an active, energetic man, and by his ecooo- 
my and energy has accumulated a competency. January 11, 
1864 he married Emily P. Jackson, a native of Dearborn Coun^, 
Ijid. They have three children: James C, a practicing physi- 
coan; Cora B., now Mrs. Simeon Haines, and Mary M. Boft 
he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 
politics he is a Republican, and previous to the organization of ^uU 
party, was a Whig. 

PHINEA8 HORNADT, one of the wealthiest farmers in 
Pike County, was ham on the farm where he now resicbM 
March 4, 1826. He is the youngest child in a family of «a 
children. His father, David Homaday, when a young Bwa, 
eame from Ohio to Pike County in 1812. The following year h« 
married Hannah Whitehead, a illative of Chatham County, N. G. 
He ent^ed eighty acres of landl^here the subject of tiMi^ jDoiemoir 
still resides; he continued to live on the same farm improving it 
and adding to it until hisuleath which occurred October 18, 1839; 
he was for nearly twenty years a minister in the Regular Baptuit 
Church, having had charge of the church at Highbanks. The 
mother died November 20, 1857. Since that time Phineas, wiXk 
bis three sisters, Jemima, Maria and Sophia, have continued to 
bve at the old homestead, one of the most beautiful residenoM ift 
the oounty. The farm consists of 360 acres of fine land and It 
well situated about c»ie and a half miles west of Petersburg. Mr. 
Homaday has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for aboni 
thirty yeara In politics he is a Republican and is widely know* 
ae an honest, upright citizen. 

HON. LEMUEL R. HARGRAVE, representative frcmt Pilpe 
Oounty, was4>om in this county February 6, 1829. He is the 
fifth child in a family of ten children; his father, Thomas Jk 
Hargrave, was a native of Virginia, to which State his ancestors 
caime from England at a very early period in the history of this 
country; he moved to North Carolina with his father and in 1816 
came to Indiana and located in Pike County. A few years ^ter 
reaching the State he married Martha P. Traylor, and settled upon 
a farm in Jefferson Township. For several years he was a mini»- 
ter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, as also were his brothers 
One of his sisters married John Niblack, and became the mother 
of Judge W. E. Niblack. Thomas R Hargrave died in July, 
1869; his widow survived him until October, 1883. Lenwiel & 
Miseivedu a good practical education in youth; he remained ai 



396 insTOHY OF pike county. 

home urlil iie was twenty years of age, when he began his career 
a!=i a farmer for himself by renting a farm in the river bottom 
After two years he bought a farm which he owned for six years-; 
he then removed to Alford, where he was engaged in a mercan- 
tile business for two years. In October, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company I, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as second 
lieutenant,, and served until March, 1863, when he resigned on ac- 
count of ill health. Since the war he has given his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 186 
acres. Soon after reaching manhood he married Mary J. May,, 
who died leaving three children: Millard F,, William E., and 
Alice J. (deceased), who married John Griffith. He chose 
for his second wife, Emily (Morrison) Hathaway, whom he 
married October 18, 1859. They have six children: Ella, Mark, 
Minnie, now Mrs. Thomas Mount, Frank, i^ncile and Kalph. 
Politically, Mr. Hargrave was formerly a Whig, but is now a 
member of the Democratic party. In 1884 he was elected to rep+ 
resent the counties of Dubois and Pike in the State Legislature, 
receiving a majority of 1,638 votes. , ; 

DAVID WRIGHT HORTON, an old and prominent resi- 
dent of Petersburg is a native of New York. He was born July 
10, 1826, and is the sixth in a family of eleven children. His 
parents were also natives of New York where the father James 
Horton died in 1849. The mother Elizabeth Wright came to 
Pike County in 1864, and lived with her son until her death in 
May, 1868. David received a good practical education in youth, 
having attended the high school at Port Byron, N. Y., and the 
Aurora Academy. At the age of fourteen he began to learn the 
shoe-maker's trade of his father. In December, 1851, he left his 
native State, and the following June, located at Petersburg where 
he has since resided and followed his trade the greater part of the 
time. In 1866 he was appointed deputy county surveyor, and 
was afterward twice elected to the office of surveyor of Pike 
County* He still continues to do considerable surveying. He is 
the owner of 150 acres of land in Jefferson Township which ha 
bought in 1869. Mr. Horton has been three times married. In 
February, 1854, he married Mary Bass who died eighteen months 
later, and in 1860 he was united in marriage with Katharine 
Bass, a sister of his first wife. She died in March, 1864, He 
chose for his third wife Elvina Scott whom he married in Novem- 
ber, 1871. Mr, Horton was for many years an Odd Fellow, and 
took an active part in organizing the lodge in Petersburg, • ; 

JOHN HAMMOND, of the firm of Hammond & Parker, 
dealers in general merchandise, Petersburg, Ind., is a native of Pike 
County, He was born September 30, 1846, and is the youngest 
and only surviving one of two children bom to John and Jane 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 39" 

(Stewart) Hammond. The father when a small boy came witl: 
his parents from Pennsylvania to Pike County, Ind., and located 
at Highbanks. He passed his life upon the farm and died Feb- 
ruary 1. 1847. His widow has never married again and is still liv^ 
ing with her son. John was reared at home with his mother who 
after the death of her husband removed to Dubois County. They 
continued to live there until about 1804, when they returned to 
this county. From that time until 1882 he was engaged in clerk- 
ing in the stores of Connelly & Barrett, William Hawthorn, and 
P. C. Hammond & Son. In the latter year, he engaged in the 
general merchandising business in which he has since continued 
with good success. June 30, 1880 he was united in marriage 
with Lillie B. Telle, a native of Washington County, Ind. To 
them have been born two children Horace A. and Ida. Mr. Ham- 
mond is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a Republican in 
politics, and is one of the leading business men of the town. 

REDDICK HARRELL, Sr., is a native of Pike County, 
born July 25, 1820. His parents, Moses and Mary (Miley) Har- 
rell, came from Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The father 
came to Indiana about the year 1815 and a year later maiTied 
and located in Petersburg, but entered 160 acres of land a short 
distance from town. He built a saw-mill on Pride's Creek and 
followed that and farming a few years, and was engaged in the 
mercantile business almost the remainder of his life. His death 
occurred December 30, 1830. The mother lived until March, 
1870, Our subject was reared in Petersburg. At the age of 
fifteen years he began clerking in a store. At the end of four years 
he was appointed deputy clerk under Maj. Mclntyre who was clerk 
of the county courts. He worked on as deputy in all the offices in 
the court house for over thirty-five years and became thoroughly 
acquainted with the duties of each office. He was township 
trustee eleven years and during this time was government asses- 
sor from 1861 to 1868, He devoted considerable time and all his. 
surplus means in land and was very successful in his purchases 
and sales. As his health has somewhat failed him he has given 
up active life. September, 1850, he married Jane Barr who died 
March 7, 1882, leaving three living children: Reddick, Emory H., 
proprietor of the Petersburg *iV^ews, and William G. Brownlow. 
Mr, Harrell is a Republican in politics, but is not radical in his 
views, voting rather for the man than for the party. He belongs to 
the L O. O, F. and is a member of the Presbyterian Church and 
is one of the influential and enterprising citizens of Pike County. 

E. H. HARRELL, editor and proprietor of the Weekly News, 
Petersburg, Ind,, is a native of the town, born March 4, 1855. 
He is a son of Reddick Harrell, Sr., whose sketch appears above- 
this. He received his education in the schools of Petersburg, 



898 HISTORY Of PIKE COUNTY. 

having completed the high-school course. With the first issue 
of the Press, he began to learn the printing trade. He worked 
in the office of that paper for about five years, during which time 
he bought a half interest in the Press. After owning it about 
nine months he sold out and went to Evansville, where he was 
employed as composito.^ and assistant foreman in the Journal 
office for about one year. January 1, 1876, he returned to Peters- 
burg and bought the Press, which he conducted for four years. 
May 15, 1884, he isaued the first number of the News. Mr. 
Harrell is a live energetic newspaper man, and always makes his 
paper a success fijoancially. As he is fearless in expressing his 
opinions, he wields a considerable influence in the political and 
aocial affairs of the county. 

PERRY C. HAMMOND was born in Philadelphia, Penn., 
September 26, 1813, and is one of two living members of seven 
children born to Elijah and Mary (Pollock) Hammond, native* 
4i£ Marrs and Dublin, Ireland. The father came to Pike County, 
Ind., in 1819, and locate on a farm in J^erson Township, where 
}t» followed farming successfully until his death in 1846. .Ha 
was associate judge of the circuit court a number of years, and a 
Whig and Mason ; he and his wife were members of the Uni-i 
versalist Church. The mother died in 1842. Our subject re- 
«eived the ordinary education of the times, being greatly aided 
by his father and elder brother, who was educated in the East 
When eightfeen years old he left home and clerked in a mercantile 
^stablislmxent in Louisville, Ky., for about a year and a half. He 
iken loame home and engaged in the general merchandise business 
in Petersbo^. Here he has remained ever since, with the 
«zoeptk)o of two years during the war of the Rebellion, when he 
assisted in getting up a draft in the county. Mr. Hammond has 
been yerj Bocoessful in his business ventures and has one ol 
Hie best stores in the county. In 1837 he married Nancy Ed-r 
laondson who died in 1855, having bc»raa eight children, three 
now living, Oliver A., Perry C, partners in the mercantile bosi^ 
ness, and Flora, the wife of Dr. A. R Byers, Mr. Hamm<tnd 
aiarried Carc^ne Galbreatii, a native of Orange County. Th&j 
Iwimmn the pareiits of two children, one now living, Ida B. Ht 
m a stanch Republican and a Mason, and he and wife are ad* 
bflrenta to the Universalist faith. 

HON. WILLIAM HAWTHORN, a prominent eitiisen of Pe* 
iarabforg, Ind., waa born in Lancaster County, Penn., May '2!^ 1810, 
md is one of eleven ohildr«Q bom to Samuel and Margarei (M«> 
€ally ) Hawthoni, nativvM ol the same pUee. The father was a bam* 
«r and lived, mariiad ssd biKMi|f hi imbiftlrae family in hisnativi 
eonnty. He came tf» Indiian m lOll^ «Mt mAed on his pieeiat 
farm wh«M he died tbe aam^^ftmi, "iMttiBHllMrne dee4b oecunrad 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 896 

«bout the close of the war. Subject studied eiril engineering 
lUkd in 1837 left home and came to Indiana, locating in Tippe. 
«anoe county, where he remained one year. He then came to Pike 
County and was appointed county surveyor. Two years later he 
built a saw-mill on Patoka River and continued there four years 
and held the surveyor's office fifteen years. In 1846 he engaged 
in the gen^^ mttrchaadise bnaipeM in Peterslmrg and continued 
in that business until 1882. In politics he has always been an 
Independent and takes an active interest in the political affairs ol 
the nation. He was elected to the State senate in 1852 by the 
Democratic party, and has held a number of other offices in town 
and county. He has been very unfortunate in married life, hav- 
ing lost two wives and ten children. He has two children living, 
one by each wife: Margaret and Grace £. Mr. Hawthorn hag 
been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly 
half a century. He is a warm advocate of temperance. He ocm^ 
tr^iited $700 for a^i^road in the county. 

ISAAC M. JOHNSON, grocer, Petersburg, began business 
in 1881 where he is now located. He carries a well selected 
stock of goods and has built up a good trade. He is a native ol 
this county, having been bom here in January 25, 1848. His 
father, Laban Johnson, was bom in either Daviess County, Ind., 
or in Georgia, from which State his parents moved. He married 
Nancy A Coan, and two years later bought a farm in Jefferson 
Township which he owned for several years. He afterward weirt 
to niinois, where he remained two years, after which he returned 
to this county, and ia now- living upcMaa-furm^ I. M. Johns(« 
remained at home until November, 1863, when he enlisted in 
Company F, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, with which regiment he 
served until August, 1865; after his return from the war he was 
engaged in farming in this county until 1869, when he went to 
Missouri, remaining in that State two years. He then returned 
to Illinois and wwked at manual labor until 1880, when he re- 
moved to Patoka, Ind. He remained at that place until engag- 
ing in his present business. He chose for a wife, Mary Thomas, 
to whom he was married April 14, 1867. They have one child, 
Henry, born January 17, 1868. Both he and wife are members 
of the Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is a Republican in politics. 

JOHNSON <fe LANE, grocers, began business as the above 
firm in 1884, when Isaac Lane bought a one-half interest in the 
store from J. W. Lee. They carry a well-selected stock worth about 
$2,500, and have a good trade from the town and surrounding 
country. E. Johnson, senior member of the firm, is a native of 
Pike (jounty, bom Octobe'^ 12, 1853. He is the elder of two chil- 
dren in Ihe family of Ja^ ^es and Jane (Ainley) Johnson, na- 



iOO HtSTORirOF PrKK eOBNT\. 

tives of Indiana, and England^ respectively. The father, who 
was a farmer, died wh^ji our subject was quite small, and the 
mother married John D. Coonrod. At the age of sixteen he learned 
the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1880, when he en- 
gaged in the grocery business. He has since continued in the 
business with the exception of one year when he was in Illinois. 
He has met with many discouragements, but has overcome them 
all, and is now doing a prosperous business. He chose for a wife, 
Elizabeth Sargent, to whom he was married November 22, 1874. 
They have had three children, two of whom, Blythe and Guy are 
living. Isaac Lane was born in Bedfordshire, England, June 22, 
1830. His parents, John Lane and Mary Clark, never left their 
native country.. He remained at home until he was seventeen 
years old, when he came to the United States and located at 
Buffalo, where he worked in a harness shop until 1851. In that 
year he went to Bockford, 111., where he worked in a shop, and 
conducted a business of his own until 1876. He then resided at 
Pecatonica inthesameState until coming to Pike County in 1884. 
May 28, 1878, he married Sophia (White) Sargent, also a native 
of England. 

WILLIAM P. KNIGHT, editor and publisher of the Pike 
County. Democrat, was bom in Boone County Ky., October 24, 
1844. He is a son of Joshua Knight, a native of Lynchburgh, 
Va. The latter, when a boy, came with his parents to Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, where he in time married Amanda Winans. Soon 
after that event he removed to Boone County, Ky., but remained 
there only a short time. He then returned to Cincinnati where 
he remained three years, after which he removed to Franklin 
County, Ind. He died there in 1852, and his widow con- 
tinued to live in that county until 1872. William P. remained at 
home with his mother until the breaking out of the Rebellion^ 
when at the first call for troops, he enlisted in the army, and was 
enrolled in Company H, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
He served with that regiment for one year. In August, 1862, he 
was mustered into service again as a member of Company B, 
Fourth Indiana Cavalry, which he had assisted in raising. He 
continued with this regiment until mustered out June 23, 
1865. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Mur- 
freesboro, the siege of Atlanta, and was with Wilson's cavalry 
at the capture of Selma and Montgomery. After his r«tum from 
the war, he located at Cambridge City, Ind,, where he learned the 
carpenter's trade. In 1867, he came to Petersburg and worked 
at his trade until 1872, when he purchased the Democrai, which 
he has since published, with the exception of one year, when he 
was publishing a paper at Tell City, Ind. December 7, 1871, 
he married Ella S. Harvey, by whom he is the father of five 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 401 

children, only two of whom: Cassie M, and Edna M. are living. 
Both Mr. Knight and wife are members of the Methodist Church. 
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. (Encampment), A. O. U. 
W., K. of Rand K. of L. 

EDWIN R. KING was born in Mecklenburgh County, Va., 
October 1, 1832, and is the only child of Richard R. and Rebec- 
ca N. (Rainey) King, natives respectively of North Carolina and 
Virginia. They lived and died in the mother's native State. 
Edwin R. was raised on a farm in his native State, and when 
eighteen years old began learning the carpenter's trade. After 
attaining his majority and mastering his trade, he followed car- 
pentering in Virginia and also in Maryland and Kentucky until 
1862, when he came to Indiana and worked in various counties 
and also in Omaha, Neb., until 1869, when he came to Peters- 
burg. A year later he engaged in the planing-mill business, but 
abandoned it in 1873, and began keeping a furniture store. In 
1881 he discontinued business on account of ill health, and sp'ent 
three winters in Florida. In the spring of 1885 he resumed 
business, and now has an excellent stock of furniture. He came 
here with little or no capital, but by hard work and economy and 
business tact and integrity, has now a comfortable competency. 
He owns some valuable town pr<!^erty, besides 200 acres of good 
land in Orange County, Fla. In 1867 he married Julia A. Smith. 
They became the parents of five children: Capitola, Neva (de- 
ceased), Minnie, Eugene and Raymond. Mr. King is a Demo- 
crat and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is one of Pike County's 
most worthy and intelligent citizens. Both his grandfathers were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather Rainey served 
seven years in that war, and was at the surrender of Cornwallis. 

STANTON LAMB (deceased), formerly a prominent farmer 
of Pike County, was born in North Carolina July 9, 1802. His 
father died when he was only four years of age, and his mother 
having married again, he came with his uncle, Hosea Smith, to 
this county in 1810. They located on a farm at what is known as 
White Oak Springs. He continued to live with his uncle until a 
year after his marriage, when he bought fifty acres of the farm 
upon which he continued to reside the remainder of his life. At 
the time of his death, he was the owner of 315 acres of fine land, 
and was known as a successful farmer and a courteous, Christian 
gentleman. He was twice married. He chose for his first wife, 
Elizabeth Bright, who died, leaving seven children, of whom 
Joseph, Leslie, Alvina and George are deceased; Harbard D., 
Emory and Theophila, now Mrs. William Gladish, are living. 
November 23, 1857, his marriage with Lavina Smith was sol- 
emnized. She is a daughter of John and Penina (Cha})pell) 
Smith, both very early settlers of the county. She still survives 



402 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

her husband, who died March 24, 1884. To their union were 
born six children: William E., McLellan, Charles, Webster, Anna 
and Franklin 8. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Lamb, 
assisted by her son William E., has managed the farm. 

ALEXANDEE LESLIE, M. D., an old and prominent phy- 
sician of Petersburg, was born in Camden County, North Carolina, 
January 8, 1815. He is the youngest of a family of six children 
born to the marriage of Alexander Leslie and Elizabeth Aydelotte. 
The father, who was a native of the "Old Dominion," died before 
the subject of this sketch was born, and the mother died only 
seven days after his birth. He was placed with a nurse, with 
whom he remained until he was five years of age. He then went 
to live with his sister at Norfolk, Va., remaining five or six 
years, after which he went to Baltimore, where another sister re- 
sided. In the schools of that city he obtained a good English 
education, and studied medicine in the University of Maryland^ 
during the sessions of 1832-33 and 1836-37. Meanwhile he had 
come to Petersburg and engaged in the practice of his profession. 
After 1837 he returned to Petersburg, where he has since been 
administering to "the ills that flesh is heir to." During the past 
year, on account of ill health, he has retired from active practice. 
For over fifty years he has enjoyed the confidence of the county, 
and is widely known as a skilful and successful physician. He m 
a Democrat, and was for eight years county treasurer. April 4, 
1841, he was joined in marriage with Rowene Hewins, a native of 
Ashtabula County, Ohio, by whom he is the father of four children : 
Ella, the widow of Henry C. Jerauld; Anna, now Mrs. William 
Bott ; Alexander, a real estate agent in Washington, Ind. ; and 
George, a resident of Chicago, 111. 

GOODLET MORGAN was born in Dubois County, Ind., 
February 26, 1825. He is one of the best known men in the 
county, and at one time carried on a very extensive business. He 
owned large tracts of lands, handled a large amount of live stock 
and produce, and also conducted one of the largest general mer- 
chandise stores in the town. In 1877 he became financially embar- 
rassed, and since that time he has confined his attention to hia 
farm, upon which he has an elegant residence. Mr. Morgan is 
the fourth of eight children bom to the marriage of Simon Mor- 
gan and Rose E. Reed. The father, who was born in Virginia^ 
removed when a young man to Ohio. After a short residence in 
that State he started for St. Louis, but upon reaching Dubois 
County, Ind., he was taken sick and was obliged to remain for 
some time. While there the county was organized, and he waa 
prevailed upon to accept the office of county clerk, a position 
which he filled until his death in January 12, 1841. In his early 
life he studied medicine, and graduated at a college in Philadel- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 403 

phia. In addition to his proleissional knowledge he had a fi]i» 
literary education. His wife died in March, 1836. Goodlet was 
reared at home until he was fourteen years old, when he came to 
Petersburg and lived with Judge Foster for nine years. During 
that time he was employed in a general merchandise store. Af- 
ter leaving Foster he went to Evansville and opened a store which 
he conducted for seven years. During his residence in that city 
November 24, 1848, he was united in marriage with a daughter of 
George H. and Mahala (Wyatt) Profit In 1851 he returned to 
Petersburg. He is the father of eight children, only three of 
whom are living. They are Simon, Proffit and Ralph, all of whom 
are married and living near home. 

CAPT. WILLIAM L. MERRICK was born in Petersburg, 
January 31, 1832. His parents Malachi and Lydia (Ogden) 
Merrick, were born in Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. 
The father came to Pike County with his parents in 1812, locating 
near White Oak Springs. He spent several winters in building 
a block-house at Dicksburg and Vincennes, in order to evade the 
Indians who infested the region plentifully at times. The father 
passed the greater part of his life in Pike County, and was en- 
gaged in the cabinet-maker's and undertaker's business until his. 
death by cholera in 1852. The mother died in 1866. William 
L. secured a fair literary education and prepared himself for the 
profession of book-keeping, wo][king in Jonathan Wilson's em- 
ploy for seyenteien- years in this capacity. In 1858 he en- 
gaged in the general merchandise business for himself, con- 
tinuing til] 1861, when he organized Company H, Twenty- 
fourth Indiana Volunteers, and served as its captain for six 
months. He then resigned on account of rheumatism contracted 
during service. After regaining his health, he worked "at farm- 
ing and stock-raising for seven years. He owns two valuable 
farms in Clay Township. He has given a great deal of time and 
attention to buying and shipping grain largely by flat-boat in 
early times. Since the establishment of the railroad, he has dealt 
largely in grain, and handles on an average 100,000 bushels of 
wheat and 50,000 bushels of corn ind other cereals annually. 
He is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., and has 
been very successful financially. 

REV. THOMAS MARTIN was born at Banfield Rath- 
friland. County Down, Ireland. He was a son of James and 
Elizabeth (Stranaghan) Martin. Our subject passed hi* boy- 
hood in the "Emerald Isle," and received his education in that 
country, attending the college at Belfast, and took a thorough 
course in the theological seminary. He with many of his 
countrymen, came to the United States in 1832. He attend- 
ed the theological seminary at Princeton, N. J., for one 



404 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

year, and was given the pastoral charge of the Presby- 
terian Church at Morgantown, Va., and later of Cahaba. Ala., 
and Brownsville. Tenn. His health began to fail, and he 
abandoned his ministerial duties and came to Petersburg, Ind., 
where he remained until his death, April 18, 1872. In 1838, he 
took for his companion through life, Jane Isabella Prentice, their 
union being consummated at Morgantown. They became the 
parents of four children, one son and three daughters: Eliza, 
Margaret (deceased), Anna (deceased), and J. Prentice, a promi- 
nent young citizen of Petersburg. Rev. Martin was for four 
years principal of the Monongohelia Academy of Morgantown, Va. 
He was an intelligent and worthy citizen and was much hon- 
ored by his friends and acquaintances. 

CHARLES E. MONTGOMERY, a prominent merchant of 
Petersburg, Ind., and native of Pike County, was born August 
5, 1849, and is one of nine children of Thomas L. Montgom- 
ery and Elizabeth Edmondson. The father who was born in Vir- 
ginia, came with his father to Indiana, and located near where 
Oakland City now is. Thomas L. married in Princeton, and about 
1833 or 1834, came to Petersburg and engaged in the merchan- 
dise business, and also shipped produce on flat-boats to Southern 
markets. He was well and favorably known throughout the 
country as a successful business man, and a worthy Christian. 
He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and 
a Whig and Republican in politics. His death occurred July 19, 
1870. The mother still survives him and is living with our sub- 
ject at the advanced^age of seventy-seven years. Charles E. was 
raised in Petersburg and learned the mercantile business from 
his father. At the age of seventeen years, he left home in order 
to impro\^ his somewhat limited education. After completing a 
business course in college, he returned home and took entire 
charge of the business. In 180 7, he purchased an interest in the 
store, and on his father's death, he assumed entire ownership and 
control, and has conducted affairs successfully and well ever 
since. In 1878, he built the Champion Steam Flour-mills, which 
he has operated successfully. He has added many improvements 
and his mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day. He 
OAvns a half interest in the hardware store of Billmeyer & Mont- 
gomery, and has engaged extensively for nearly twenty years in 
stock-trading, shipping produce and tobacco, and has a large 
amount of money invested in Lincoln, Neb. October 25, 
1870, he married Alice M. Logan, who died September 24, 1871. 
He is a Republican, and has held various local offices of trust in 
town. He is a thoroughly self-made man, and a moral, upright 
citizen. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 405 

JAMES L. MOUNT, ,su]>eriiiteii(leiit of schools of Pike 
County, IikI. is a son of James and Mary (Miley) Mount, and 
was born September 12, 1854. (See father's sketch). James L. 
was reared by his parents in the country on a farm and secured 
only a common education in his boyhood days. He owes his 
present efficiency as an instructor to his own efforts in later years. 
Bein^ a close, energetic student he has not only mastered the com- 
mon branches but also two languages besides his native tongue. At 
the age of nineteen he began teaching school in this county and has 
continued at that work ever since, meeting with the best of success. 
In 1885 he was elected to his present office and is now filling the 
requirements of that position greatly to his credit. December 
27. 1882 he took for his life companion Fannie E. Taylor, his 
present Avife. They have one child — Morris T. In politics Mr. 
Mount is a Democrat and he is also a member of the K. of P. 

iKEDERICK H. POETKER, treasurer of Pike County, Iml. 
was born in the kingdom of Hanover, February 1, 1844, being 
the eldest of six children born to the marriage of William Poetker 
and Elizabeth Dierker. The mother died in Hanover and the 
father married again and came to the United States in 1880, and 
took up his residence with our subject in this county, where he 
now resides. Frederick H. was raised in his native land and 
obtained a very good education in his native language. In 1860 
he came to the United States and located in Dubois County, near 
Holland, where he remained until 1802 when he enlisted as a 
private in Company H, Sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry and served 
his country faithfully until 18()5 when he and his regiment were 
honorably discharged. After returning home he cleil^l in a 
store in Holland about eighteen months. In 1867 he came to 
Pike County and engaged in the general mercliandise business in 
Steiidal in which he has remained ever since, meeting with good 
success. He is an unswerving Democrat in politics and was 
trustee of Lockhart Township a number of terms, and in 1884 was 
elected to his present office and holds the position efficiently and 
acceptably. In 1868 he was married to Dena Catherine New- 
bridge, a native of Ohio. They have seven children: William F., 
Nora, Caroline, Louis. Flora. Mary and Oscar. Mr. Poetker and 
family are members of the Lutheran Church and he is recognized 
as one of the enterprising and successful business men of Pike 
County, and an upright official. 

HON. FRANCIS B. POSEY, a prominent attorney of Pike 
County, was born in Petersburg, April 28, 1848. He is the young- 
est of six children, only two of whom are now living, born to the 
marriage of John W. Posey and Sarah Blackburn, natives of South 
Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father when a child 
came to Indiana in 1804 with his parents, wlio located in Knox 



4CC HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

County np-u" Vincennes. In 1830 he came to Pike County, where 
he was engaged in the practice of medicine until IH55, when ]ip 
retired from the profession. He was especially skillful in ^ur 
gory, and during the Rebellion was at Shiloh in charge of a 
field hospital a few months, and for a time was in charge of the 
marine hos[)ital at EAansville. His death occurred August 12, 
1884. His wife died August 12, 1851. As a young man he 
was noted for his remarkable feats of strength. He could lift a 
barrel of whisky by the chime, and place it in a wagon, and on 
one occasion carried six bushels of wheat up five flights of stairs. 
He was a man of great force of character and was fearless in the 
expression of his principles. He was one of the first to champion 
the cause of the slave, and his house was known as a station on 
the underground railroad. Previous to the organization of the 
Republican party he was a Whig. In 1844 he was elected to the 
office of county treasurer, and re-elected in 1840. He also served 
several terms as trustee of the township. He obtained his profes- 
sional knowledge in the office of Dr. Burnside, the father of Gen. 
Burnside. Frank B. Posey is a man of fine attainments and is 
widely known as an able lawyer, a skillful politician, and an elo- 
quent orator. His early education was obtained in the schools of 
the county. He afterward attended Asbury College completing 
the sophomore year. His professional education was obtained at 
the Indiana University from which institution he graduated in 
the class of 1869. Since leaving school he has been engaged in 
the practice of his profession in Petersburg with the exception of 
two years when he was at Vincennes. He is the owner of 300 
acres of coal land bordering on White River and is operating 
what is known as the Blackburn Mines. January 17, 1878, he 
united in marriage with Emma Brown, a native of this county, 
and to their union have been born two children ; Helen and Fran- 
cesco. In politics Mr. Posey is a Republican and holds a prom- 
inent place in his party in the State. In 1872 he was appointed 
prosecuting attorney by Gov. Baker; in 1880 was an elector on 
the Garfield ticket; in 1882 was a candidate for the senatorship 
from Pike and Warrick Counties. He was defeated by only 200 
votes in a district which gave the State ticket a Democratic 
majority of 750 votes. In 1884, he was a delegate to the Repub- 
lican National Convention. 

HON. EDWARD P. RICHARDSON, a prominent attorney of 
Petersburg, Ind., and a native of Pike County, was born May 23, 
1849, being a son of Jefferson W. and Mary (Ferguson) Richard- 
son, natives respectively of Warrick and Pike Counties, Ind. The 
father removed from Warrick to Pike County when he was a 
young man, about the year 1847. Here he married and has followed 
the life of a farmer since that time. The mother died in 1864, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 407 

Jiaving borne six children — three sons and three daughters. When 
eighteen years okl our subject began serving in the auditor's 
office in Petersburg and attended school during the winter until 
1873. In the meantime he had begun the study of law and 
during the year mentioned attended the law school at Blooming- 
ington, Ind. He returned to Petersburg and was admitted to the 
Pike County bar and engaged in the practice of his profession 
in M'hich he has acquired distinction throughout southern Indiana. 
He has always been a faithful Democrat and was chairman of the 
Democratic Central Committee in 1878, 1880 and 1884. In 1882 
he was elected by his party to represent Pike and Warrick 
Counties in the State Senate, and served with honor and dis- 
tinction in the legislative halls during the sessions of 1883 and 
1885. In 1875 he was married to Cammie Barrett, who died 
in 1878 having borne two chikiren, both now deceased. In I88I1 
he married Emily Wheeler, his present wife, a native of Posey' 
County, Ind. Mr. Richardson is a member of the I. O. O. F., and 
K. of P. 

JOSEPH C. RIDGE, recorder of Pike County, Ind., was 
born in Marion County, Ky., May 28, 18-1:3. His parents, Isaac 
and Margaret H. (Nelson) Ridge, were natives of Maryland and 
Kentucky, respectively, and the parents of eight children. Our 
subject passed his boyhood on a farm and received a fair edu- 
cation. At the age of sixteen he left his native State and made 
his home with a brother who was living in Daviess County, Ind., 
until 1865, when he came with him to Pike County and located 
in Marion Township where he soon after served two terms as 
assessor, and at their expiration he was appointed county com- 
missioner to fill a vacancy caused by death. In the meantime he 
resided on the farm and worked at tilling the soil. He has 
always been an enthusiastic Democrat in politics and in 1884 
was elected by his party to his present office in wliich he is ably 
and efficiently discharging his duties. He is a member of the 
General Baptist Church, and is one of the enterprising and moral 
young men of Pike County and a trustworthy officer. 

JOHN O. M. SELBY, a well to do farmer of Pike County, 
Ind., is a native of the county, born October 28, 1826. He is the 
eldest in a family of nine children, all of whom are now living. 
His father, Richard Selby, when a boy came with his parents to 
this county before 1807. They located in Madison Township, 
where they continued to live until the disturbances of the Indians 
previous to the war of 1812, caused them to return to Kentucky. 
In 1818 they again came to Pike County, and located in Madison 
Township, where Richard lived until 1833. In that year he re- 
moved to the farm now owned by L. G. Selby where his death 
occurred in August, 18.69. His widow survived him until October 



408 HISTORY OF PIKK COUNTY. 

7, 1883. Joliii O. M. Selby was raised at lioine where ho re- 
mained until his marriage, after which he settled on the farm 
where he has sijice resided. It was then covered Avitli the original 
forest, but by hard work he cleared and im[)roved the farm, and is 
now the owner of 81H) acres of good land. December 14, 1848. 
he was united in marriage with Jemima A. Robinson, who died 
February 9, 1870, leaving four children: Sebastian, George P. C. 
Ulysess G. and Abraham L. August 30, 1870, he married Sarah 
A. (Pipes) Brumiield, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Selby is a 
member of the General Baptist Church, and his wife of the 
Christian Church. In ])olitics he is a member of the National 
Greenback Partv. 

SAMUEL H. STUCKY, a prominent farmer of Pike Coun- 
ty, Ind., is a native of the county, born March 2-"), 1833. 
He is the eighth of twelve children born to Hie marriage of 
Frederick Stucky and Elizabeth Love, natives of Breckinridge 
County, Ky.. and North Carolina, respectively. The father, at 
the age of eighteen, in 1814, came to Knox County. Ind., and 
later removed to Martin County, where he was nmrried. In 
1830 he came to Pike County and located in Petersburg and 
engaged in running a tannery with his f " ,:ier, continuing for two 
years. He then entered a tract of lane which he owned until 
1840. when on account of having to pa\ oome security debts he 
sold it. He afterward bought a farm j itt .outh of town, where 
he lived until his death in May, 1808, ti e mother died in 185(), 
Samuel H. was reared at home, receiving his education in Peters- 
burg. At the age of eighteen he learnt 'i the blacksmith's 
trade which he folloAved for five years. He tnen Avorked on his 
father's farm until in Sej)tember, 18(U. when lie enlisted as a mu- 
sician in the band of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry with which regiment he served one year. In July, 1803, 
he enrolled in Company A, Ninety-first Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry as a private but served as a musician until July, 1805, 
when the regiment was mustered out. He was in the Atlanta 
campaign and was present at the battles of Franklin. Nashville, and 
numerous lesser engagements. After the war he returned home 
and again engaged in farming. He is now the owner of 240 
acres of land and raises and deals (juite extensively in stock, 
especially hogs. In September. 18()(). he was united in marriage 
with Amanda (Ent) Lamb, and to their union have been born 
three children, only one of whom. Pearl, is now living. Mrs. 
Stucky has one son, Leslie Lamb, by her former marriage. Both 
Mr. Stucky and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In politics he is a Republican, is a stockholder in the 
Pike County Agricultural Society, and is general superintendent 
of the grounds. 



bi()gi;ai'[ii('al .sketches. 40!i 

_ J. M. SHANDY was Ixn-u in Floyd Couiitv. Iii.l. Ootobor 
'It. ISH± He IS tho fifth of ten cliildreji born to tJie marriage of 
Jacob Shandy and Xancy Rendleman. botli natives of the '^•Old 
North State/" Al)ont tAvo years after marriaire they renio\-ed to 
Fiord County, Ind.. where they resided for eiirht years. They 
next resided in Madistm Township, ' Dubois County,' until 1853 
when they went to Missouri. They eontinue<l to live there until 
their deaths. The father died January '20. ISSI. and the motliei 
on the -)th of the preceding November. J. M. Shandy received 
his education in the schools of Dubois C^ounty. After marriatre 
he removed to Pike County and settled on a farm near where he 
now lives. In ISIh, he opened a coal mine on his farm which he 
continued to work for about twelve years. This was the first 
shaft sunk in the county. In 1874 he opened a general merchan- 
dise store which he conducted for about ten years. January i) 
l8o3 he was united in marriage with Hester A". Decker, a daugh- 
ter of Eev. John A. Decker, a prominent pioneer preacher. 
Their union has been blessed with four children: Fletcher A 
Orlando C, Charles V. and Mahala F. (deceased), who married 
James Dunbar. Both Mr. Shandy and wife are members of the 
Methodist Church. In i)olitics he is a Eewublican. _ 

CHARLES SCHAEFEE, proprietor of the Pike Hotel, and 
retail liquor dealer, Petersburg, Ii^d., is a native of Hessen-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, born August 15. 1837. His parents, Haartman 
Schaefer and Frederika Stark passed their lives in the "Father- 
land."' Charles was reared at home, receiving such an education 
as is common in Germany. At the age of fourteen he began to 
learn the baker's trade, continuing m his native country until 
1857 when he came to the United States, and located in New 
York City. He worked at his trade there for two years, when he 
went to Cincinnati. Ohio, w^here he remained with liis brother who 
was in the hotel and saloon business, for a few months. In April, 
18(51, at the first call for troops he joined Company F, Ninth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered 
out at Kingston, Ga., in June, 18(U. He was present at the bat- 
tles of Cheat Mountain, Cornifex Ferry, Mill Spring, Chicka- 
mauga. Missionary Eidge, Dalton and numerous engagements of 
less note. A few months after leaving the army, he came to 
Petersburg and opened a bakery Avhich he conducted for about four- 
teen years. He was also at one time engaged in running a livery 
find feed stable, and in working a farm adjoining town, in addi- 
tion to his present occupation. By close attention to business, he 
has accumulated a competency, and is recognized as one of the 
most honorable, and upright citizens of the town. October 23, 
18G5, he married Maggie Obel, and to their union have been born 
eight children. Those now living are John C, AVilliam, Fred- 
erika, Henry H. and Bertha. 



410 HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 

JAMES SHAWHAN, president of the Citizens State Bank, 
at Petersburg, Ind., was born in Pike County, December 18, 
1823, and is a son of Joseph Shawhan who was born in 
Kentucky and came to Pike County in 1821, and located on a 
farm in Clay Township, where he lived about ten years and then 
resided in Madison Township about forty years. He underwent 
all the hardships incident to pioneer life in the wilderness, but 
became quite wealthy. Later he moved to Petersburg where he 
died January 14, 1881. Mrs. Shawhan whose maiden name was 
Elizabeth Lownsdale was a native of Kentucky, she shared all 
the hardships and privations of her husband and died in this 
county in 1852. Our subject received little or no education in 
boyhood but now has a good education owing to his active busi- 
ness life. In 1848 he purchased a farm in Clay Township on 
which he resided until 1866 when he removed to Washington, Ind., 
where he engaged in the livery business one year, and then came 
to Petersburg and engaged first in stock trading two years and 
then the hardware, stove and tinware business in which he has re- 
mained ever since. He has a large and fine stock of goods and 
controls a large trade in town and county. In 1848 he married 
Virginia Carr who died May 15, 1875, having borne two children: 
Margaret Elisabeth (wife of C. F. Boonshot) and Mary Belle. 
In 1878 he married Malinda Morrison, native of Pike County. 
In politics Mr. Shawhan is a Kepublican. His wife is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a Mason and a suc- 
cessful business man and has always taken an active interest in 
all public and private enterprises. In 1874 his son-in-law, C. F. 
Boonshot became his partner in business. 

WILLIAM J. SHRODE, sheriff of Pike County, Ind., was 
bqrn in Warrick County, October 8, 1837, being one of six chil- 
dren born to Henry and Mary (Bradley) Shrode. The father was a 
native of Warrick County where he married and raised his family. 
In 1866 he moved to Iowa where he now resides. The mother 
died in AVarrick County about 1855. The father has a second 
wife. Our subject received an ordinary education in his boyhood 
days, at the age of eighteen he left home and began farming foi 
himself in Pike County. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, 
Ninety-first Indiana Volunteers and served his country gallantly 
and faithfully for three years. At the close of the war he came 
to Pike County and located on a farm in Lockart Township where 
he purchased a farm and resided until November, 1884, when he 
assumed the duties of his |)resent oftice. He is a Democrat in 
politics and was elected sheriff by this party. In 1857 he mar- 
ried Sarah A. Hunsacker, a native of Warrick County. They 
have seven children, four living: Mary E.. wife of Richard Tre- 
ault. Joseph F.. Amanda M. and Sarah E. Mr. Shrode and wife 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 411 

are General Baptists and he is well liked and respected as an offi 
cer and a citizen. His children have all been teachers in the countyi 
schools. . i 

WILLIAM F. TOWNSEND, attorney of Petersburg, Ind., 
is a son of John F. and Mary E. (Taylor) Townsend, natives of 
East Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. The father, when a 
lad of six or seven years of age, came to Indiana with his parents in 
1830 and located at Troy. Here he married and raised his fam- 
ily, following a farmer's life. March 21, 1866, he came with his 
family to Pike County, and located at White Sulphur Springs, 
where he farmed and engaged in the tobacco and mercantile busi- 
ness until November, 1877, when he removed to Kansas, where he 
now resides. The mother died when William F. was about six 
years old. The father took for his second wife Emily Julian. 
He has eight children by this marriage. Our subject was born 
January 10, 1851, and was reared in Spencer County on a farm. 
At the age of twenty-one he began teaching school, continuing at 
that business until 1877. In February of the next year he came 
to Petersburg and started a newspaper called the National Venti- 
laior, which was in the interest of the Greenback party. He con- 
ducted that paper nine months, and finding that it proved unsuc- 
cessful financially he sold out and edited the Pike County Demo- 
crat one year. In the meantime he had given the study of law 
some attention and entered into partnership with W. S. Hurst, 
and established a law practice continuing one year, when he prac- 
ticed his profession alone until 1881, when he became one of the 
firm known as Ely, Townsend & Fleener. November 3, 1874, he 
married Lidie E. Stucky, a native of Daviess County, Ind. They 
became the parents of five children: Minnie, Frederick F., Capi- 
tola, Leonora, and Clarence (deceased). Mr. Townsend is a 
Democrat and takes an active part in politics. He was one of the 
Democratic State canvassers in 1880. In 1878 he was a candidate 
for the State Legislature on the Greenback ticket, but was defeated 
owing to the hopeless minority of the party; He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. Mr. Townsend has been a very successful lawyer 
and is a worthy citizen of Pike County. In 1884 he was pres- 
idential elector for the First Congressional District. 

JASPEE WILLIS, a native of North Carolina, was born No- 
vember 5, 1825. He is the eldest of eleven children born to the 
marriage of Maxwell Willis and Jane Miller, also natives of North 
Carolina, from which State in 183(] they came to Pike County and 
lived on various farms, finally locating on , the farm where Mrs. 
Willis still lives. The father died March 10, 1856. Jasper was 
reared at home, receiving such an education as was afforded by 
the pioneer schools in the country. After his marriage he rented 
land for three years, and then bought forty acres of the farm where 



412 [IISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 

Williniii Selby now lives. In 18(54 he sold the farm which he 
had increased to 1()() acres, and removed to Logan Township. 
After a four years' residence there he bought the farm upon 
which he now resides. He has been quite successful in his busi- 
ness and is now the owner of 440 acres of good land. March B, 
1840, he was joined in marriage with Sarah E. Dean, a native of 
Kentucky. Of the thirteen children born to them, nine are now 
living, they are: Beverly, William E., Charles L., George M,, 
Cordelia, Maria, now Mrs. Jesse Richardson, Lovisa, Catharine 
and Elizabeth. Both Mr. Willis and wife are members of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, and are highly respected by the com- 
munity in which they live. 

eTOHN W. WILSON, attorney of Petersburg, Ind., was born 
in Grayson County, Ky., April 17, 1847. His parents, Vincent 
and Anna (Davis) Wilson, were also natives of Kentucky, where 
they lived and died. Our subject received a limited education, 
and when thirteen years old, he came to Indiana and worked at 
manual labor in Spencer County, and in the meantime began pre- 
paring himself for teaching, and followed that occupation a year 
or two. In 1867, he went to Missouri, but returned the same 
year, and the next year moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., 
where he attended school, and graduated from Hartsville Univer- 
sity. In 1872, he went to Warrick County and taught school, 
and worked as deputy county recorder one year. In 1873, he 
came to Petersburg and took charge oi the public schools two 
years, and at the same time studied law. In 1870, he was 
admitted to the Pike County bar, and has since been very suc- 
cessful in the practice of his profession. January 1, 1878, he 
married Kate Longbotham, a native of Evansville, Ind. They 
have two children; Frank and John M. He is a Republican in 
politics, and was candidate in 1884, for judge of the Eleventh 
Judicial Circuit, but owing to the hopeless minority of his party, 
he was defeated. He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and bears the rej)u- 
tation of being a proficient and energetic member of the legal 
profession. He was chairman of the Republican Central Comi- 
mittee three years, and has been city attorney at times for four 
or five years. 

SIMEON L. WILSON, dentist, of Petersburg, Ind., was 
born in Jefferson County, Ind., September 17, 1841. His 
})arents, John C. and Anna Jane (Reynolds) Wilson, were 
natives also of Jefferson County. Simeon L., in conjunction 
with the duties of a farmer boy, attended the district schools, 
obtaining a fair education. When twenty years old, he began 
keeping a hotel in Madison, which business he followed about 
one year. He then studied medicine in Jennings County, Ind. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 41 o 

for two years, and later began the practice of medicine in south- 
ern Indiana, continuing at that four years. In 1808, he turned 
his attention to dentistry, in which profession he has remained 
ever since. By constant study and much practice, he lias 
thoroughly mastered this profession. In February, 1884, he 
came to Petersburg and established his dental office, and has 
met with well-deserved success, having acquired the leading 
practice in town and county. In 1878, he married Dicie Craw- 
ford, his present wife. They have two children: Daisy M. and 
Nelson H. He is also the father of four living cliildren by a 
former marriage. He is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. 
F. He is an efficient and successful operator in dentistry, and a 
good citizen of the county. 



PATOKA TOWNSHIP. 



JAMES ASHBY is r. son of Benjamin and Margaret (Bur- 
dett) Ashby. In 1813 they were married, and soon after came to 
this township, locating in Patoka Township, where he lived until 
his death in 1880. The mother died about 1860. Our subject 
had very poor advantages for education, having to walk three 
miles to school and recite to a teacher who amused himself by 
reading a newspaper while hearing classes recite. When twenty- 
one years old, he began hiring out among the farmers, and soon 
after inheriting 80 acres of land from his father, he built his first 
log-house and began farming for himself. In time, he became 
the possessor of 278 acres of land, of which 87 acres are under 
cultivation. April 26, 1853,. Cynthia Atkins, born January 26, 
1833, became his wife, and to their union, four children were 
born: America J., Mary C, George B. and Everett. America 
and Mary are the wives of EdAvard Pickard and George B. Hean, 
respectively. Mr. Ashby is a Democrat of long standing, and 
cast his first vote for Polk. 

WASHINGTON ASHBY was born in Pike County, Ind., 
October 26, 1834, and is a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Ber- 
dett) Ashby. His educational advantages were poor, but he has 
since acquired a very good business education. When he was 
twenty years old, he began flat-boating from Winslow to New 
Orleans, making five trips in all. In 1858, he began clearing 
the farm of eighty acres where he yet lives, and has now sixty- 
five acres of it under good cultivation. February 20, 1862, he 
took for his life companion, Charlotte T. Coleman, born Novem- 



414 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

ber 9, 1841, daughter of John and Maria (Thickston) Cole- 
man. They are the parents of two children: Ida E. and John 
B. Ida is one of the successful young teachers of Pike County. 
Mr. Ashby is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Buchanan. 
He is a successful farmer, and a wide-awake and enterprising 
citizen. 

GEOEGE B. ASHBY is a son of James and Cynthia (Atkis- 
son) Ashby, and was born May 15, 1859, in Pike County, Ind. 
In early life he attended the common schools, and at the age of 
sixteen years left home, and took a trip to Arkansas and Texas, 
where he remained about a year, working on the farm, carrying 
mail, etc. Keturning home he farmed during the summer, and 
attended school in the winter; he attended the Petersburg 
schools one term, and then began teaching, which business he 
followed three years. In the spring of 1879 he took the com- 
mercial and teachers' course at Valparaiso. He then taught 
school again, and in 1881 set up a drug store in Winslow, con- 
tinuing eighteen months. He then went to Albany, N, Y., and 
clerked in a drug store, and shortly after moved to Cohoes, and 
then to Alabama, where he was stock receiver in the cold-blast 
furnace. In August, 1883, he returned, and again began a drug 
store in Winslow, where he is now doing a lively business. De- 
cember 22, 1881, he married Willimina Hisgen, a native of New 
York. They are the parents of one child, Bernice. Mr. Ashby 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In June, 1885, he was 
elected justice of the peace. He is a Democrat, having cast his 
first vote for Hancock. He is a successful business man, and is 
much esteemed by all. 

DANIEL C. BARKETT, a stanch Democrat and prominent 
citizen of Patoka Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born August 10, 
1830, where Oakland City now stands. His parents, Richard and 
Mary (Black) Barrett, were natives of South Carolina and 
Georgia, respectively, and came to Gibson County in childhood, 
and here they married and lived, farming on the present site of 
Oakland City. In 184-4 they came to Pike County. Here the 
father died, in 1850, the mother having passed away in 1849. 
At the age of twenty Daniel C. began farming where the streets 
and squares of Oakland City now are. In 1850 he purchased a 
farm of sixty acres in Pike County, but sold it soon after and 
purchased sixty -two acres where he now lives. He now owns 
120 acres of land, and has 106 acres under cultivation. Septem- 
ber 21, 1851, Martha Wiggs, bom in 1834, became his wife. To 
tLem were born four children: Mary E., Sarah F., Esther M. 
and Judith H. Mary is the wife of Peter Hoover, a rising 
young physician of the West, and Sarah was married on the same 
day as her sister, to Jerome Beeler, one of the leading physicians 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 415 

of Boonville. Husband and wife and the first three children are 
members of the General Baptist Churcli. In November, 1861, 
Mr. Barrett enlisted in Company D, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infant- 
ry. At Stone River, Chickamauga and the siege of Atlanta, he 
fought among the bravest of the brave. He was also with Sher- 
man on his march to the sea. While at Stone" River he was 
struck by a ball, which produced a lasting injury, and for which 
he now receives a pension of $4 per month. He was tendered 
the position of captain, but rejected it, not wishing to serve under 
his colonel. He served over three years, and was discharged 
January 1, 1865. 

JAMES M. BEARDSLEY, M. D., is the son of John and 
Sela (Thompson) Beardsley, who were born in Illinois and In- 
diana, respectively. The father yet lives, and farms on the same 
place he bought when he first came to the county. James M., 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Warrick County, Ind., 
January 2, 1850, and received the advantages of a common school 
education. When eighteen years old he attended three terms of 
school at the Oakland Institute, and afterward taught seven terms 
of school in Dubois and Warrick Counties. In 1877 he took an 
extended trip through the West, and walked over 276 miles 
across the Rocky Mountains. On returning he began studying 
medicine under Dr. McMahan, of Huntingburgh, Ind., and in 
1878 took a term of li^otures at the Ohio Medical College, and 
the following year attended the Kentucky School of Medicine, 
where he graduated in 1880 among the firsi in his class. In 
1881 he located in Winslow, and December 14, of the next year, 
he married Maria Martin, born June 22, 1862; daughter of 
Thomas and Mary (Tray lor) Martin. They have one child, 
John T. Dr. Beardsley is a Republican, and cast his first vote 
for Grant. He has been highly successful as a physician, and 
is a wide-awake and enterprising man. 

BEARDSLEY BROS., one of the leading firms of Winslow, 
Ind., established their business in 1884. John D., the senior 
.member of the firm, was born December 10, 1856, in Warrick 
County, Ind., and at the age of twenty-four, having learned the 
carpenter's trade he began to work for himself, following the 
occupation of carpentering until 1884, when he and his brother, 
T. W., purchased the stock of furniture formerly owned by J. 
.V. Whitman. Jolm is a Republican and cast his first vote for 
tiayes. January 22, 1885, he married Florence Carter, born May 
>), 1865, and daughter of Andrew and Jane (Urcery) Carter. 
George W., the junior member of the firm of Beardsley Bros., 
was born October 25, 1860, in Warrick County ; he lived with his 
father about three years in Arkansas, and then returned and 
entered the store with his brother. May 24, 1885, he wedded 



116 mSTOUV Ob" I'IKE COUNTY. 

Ida Royiiierson. daughter of Tlioiuas and Sarah ( Hainniens) 
rkeynierson. John and George are enterprising young men imkI 
are bound to succeed. Their parents, James M. and Lucy J. 
( Dutton ) Beardsley were natives of Indiana, the father born in 
is 80. ill Warrick County, and the mother born in Pike County 
in lS:j,S. They live at present in Lawrence County, liid.. where 
the father follows saw-milling as an occupation. 

NEWTON BKENTON, cnie of the pioneer settlers of Pike 
County, Ind.. was born February 28, 1817. near Petersburg. His 
educational advantages were limited but by contact with business 
life he has acquired a good, practical business education. At the 
age of eighteen he went South as a common laborer and later 
returned and followed clerking and various other occupations 
until 1851. when he commenced selling groceries in Winslow. 
carrying on this business as one of the partners of the firm known 
as Brenton & AVinslow, until 1884, when the firm dissolved part- 
nership and Mr. Brenton retired from business. February 'li\ 
18-t2, he wedded Julia A. Masters and after the brief space of 
five months she died August 2(), 184:2. October (5. 1844, 
Nancy Coleman became his second wife and to them were liorn 
eight children: Byron, Theodore, Julia A., Emily F., Sarah A., 
Mary M., Clara and Elmer E. Byron, Julia. Emily and Mary 
are the only ones now living. On the 10th of April, 1804, his 
second wife was called to her long home, and July 20, of the 
same year he married Margaret Spencer, born December 11, 
1822. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Brenton was postmaster of Winslow for about four years 
during the war; he is a Eepublican, and cast his first vote for 
Gen. Harrison; he is the oldest citizen of Winslow. save one, 
William AVinslow Hathaway, and is an esteemed friend and 
neighbor and is now enjoying the fruits of his previous labor. 

^BYKON BRENTON. the eldest child of Newton and Nancy 
A. (Coleman) Brenton, was born in Winslow, Pike County, Ind., 
September 22, 1843. He attended the common schools in his 
neighborhood and completed his education by taking the mercan- 
tile course in the Evansville Commercial College. After com- 
pleting his course he began merchandising in AVinslow in 18()0. 
and with the exception of about five years he has carried on that 
business ever since. In 1870 he was called by the people to fill 
the office of township trustee, which position he held to the satis- 
faction of the people for six years. In 1^70 he was elected 
sheriff of Pike County, and held the office two years, giving the 
best of satisfaction. During that time he and family made their 
home in Petersburg, but since that time have lived in the quiet 
little village of Arthur. May 2<), 18t)7, Mattie, daughter of James 
and Liza A. (Hargrave) Edmonson, became his wife. She Avas 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 417 

born Janunrv 28, 1845, in Petersburg, and she and Mr. Brenton are 
the parents of two chiklren : Nellie and Fred, both of whom are at 
liome. In politics Mr. Brenton is an active and enthusiastic Repub- 
lican, and cast his first vote for Grant. As a business man he is 
quite successful, having started in life with comparatively nothing, 
he has arisen to the ownership of a good store in Winslow, besides 
a comfortable home and forty acres of land at Arthur. In connec- 
tion with the mercantile business he also trades in stock and land. 
He has done much toward furthering public enterprise and is a 
useful citizen. 

JAMES CARTEK was born in Kentucky, August 2;-3. l.S'iT. 
and is the s(m of Jesse and Sarah (Elder) Carter, who were born 
in the Blue Grass State, the father in 1801 and the mother in 
1802. Jesse (\irter was a farmer and shoe-maker, and came to Pike 
County, Ind.. in 1848, locating near Winslow. He afterward 
moved to the town, where he died in 1880. A year later liis widow 
followed him to the grave. Our subject began working for 
himself wdien nineteen years old. In 1857 he jmrchased fifty 
acres of the farm where he now lives. He now owns 100 acres 
of excellent farming land. He was married to Candus Davis, 
April 11, 1847. She is a daughter of Jesse and Nancy Davis, 
and was born January 7. 1882. They became the parents of 
eight children: Jolui AV., Jesse T.. James M. (deceased), David 
N., Sarah N., Mary C, Henry T. and Warren S. Mr. Carter 
was a soldier in the late war and enlisted in CVmipany I, One 
Huriilred and Fortj-Third Indiana Infantry. After serving nine 
months he returned lumie, bearing an honorable discliarge. He 
is a warm Republican and cast his first vote for Taylor. He 
and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and excellent neigli- 
bors and friends. 

BLUFORD S. COLEMAN, farmer, is a son of John and 
Maiia (Thickston) Coleman, who were born in 1801 and 180(), 
respectively, and came to this country very early and followed the 
occupation of farming. The father died in 1851 and the mother in 
1S44. They were the parents of seven children: Perlina, Malissa, 
Emeline, Bluford S., Elizabeth, Charlotte and Sarah E. Oui- 
subject was born on the 20th of Februar}-, 1830. AVhen sixteen 
years old he began working for himself and followed the various 
callings of clerking, carpentering, blacksmithing, painting, and 
finally settled down to farming on the i)lace where he now lives. 
Ai>ril 4, 18(')0. he married Mary E. Shields, born October (>, 1834, 
in Ohio, daughter of William and Mary Shields. William 
was born in 1798 and Mary in 1808. The father clerked in a 
store in Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time, where he also kept 
boarding house. In 1858 while on a trip to Virginia he was 
suddenly taken ill and died. His widow lived till 18()(). Mr. and 



418 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Mrs. Coleman are members of the General Baptist Clmrcli, and 
he is a leading Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. 
For three years he was on the police force in Cincinnati, but on 
coming to this State has made farming his occupation, at wliicli 
he has been quite successful. 

ROBERT CROMAVELL, deceased, was born in 183(1, and in 
early life learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for 
some time in Winslow ; at the breaking out of the war, he, being a 
strong Union man, offered his services in behalf of his countr}-. and 
enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and served 
his country faithfully for nearly four years. By gallant condu(rt 
on the field he was promoted to the position of first lieutenant. 
As his life companion he chose Mary E. Curtis, born August 30, 
1832, daughter of William D. and Margaret (Bird well) Curtis. 
To their union seven children were born: Frank (deceased), 
Anna, Maggie B., Oliver (deceased), Ida (deceased), Orpha and 
Emma. Both husband and wife wei-e members of the Methodist 
Church, and he was a Republican. In 1871 his death occurred as 
a result of a wound received in the battle of Chickamauga. 
August 10, 1878, his widow married John Crow, born in 1813, 
one of the early settlers of Pike County. Mr. Crow had beeji 
married twice before ; first to Johanna Alexander and then to 
Mrs. Eliza (Butler) Selby. The fruits of the first marriage 
were eight children: Arnetta, Charles M., Daniel, Isaac P.. Louisa, 
Richard M., Robert M. and Hosea. Mr. Crow is the oldest 
Democrat in the county, having cast his first vote for Van Buren. 
In 1840 he purchased eighty acres of timber land on which he 
built a commodious log house. By untiring energy he now owns 
213 acres of good farming land. 

GIBSON CROSS was born October 15, 1841, in Pike County, 
Ind., and is a son of Joseph and Epsy D. (Kinman) Cross, 
natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. Mr. Cross came 
to this county in 1829, where he was married. He followed the 
life of a farmer and in connection with that acted as justice of the 
peace for two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1884. the 
mother having passed away in 1849. Gibson, the subject of this 
sketch, when twenty years old, volunteered his services for 
his country, and enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana 
Infantry, and was in many of the principal battles of the war. 
He was a brave soldier and served his country faithfully 
for three years. January 10, 1867, he married Priscilla Ander- 
son, who died ten months after her marriage. October 15, 1808, 
he took for the second wife, Betsey A. Kinman, born December 
20, 1850, and daughter of Burrell and Nancy Kinman. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cross became the parents of four children: Oliver. Rufus A., 
Gibson T. and Lillie B. Both parents are members of the Bap- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 41ft 

list Church, and Mr. Cross is a leading Kejiublicau. liaving castl 
his fii'st vote for Lincoln. He owns a fine farm of 140 acres and 
is a well to do citizen. 

JOHN B. T. DEARING. a farmer of Patoka Township, Pike 
.-.o., Ind., was born March 31. 1842, in Kentucky, and is a| 
son of William and Elizabeth (Morton) Dearing. The parents j 
came from the Blue Grass State to Pike County about 1844. ' 
Here the father died in 1852 and the mother in 1809. When 
twelve years old John B. T. was bound out to John Selby with 
whom he staid until he was nineteen years old, he then enlisted 
in Company I, Forty-second Indiana Infantry. He was at Perry- 
ville, Stone River. Chickamauga, and was with Sherman on his 
march to the sea. He served his country faithfully and well for 
nearly four years and from a private was raised to the office of 
first lieutenant. November 28, 1865, he was married to Bettie 
A. Selby. born June 11, 1849 in Pike County, and they became 
the parents of two children: Larentus S. and William P. Mr. 
Dearing's political views are Republican, having cast his first 
vote for Grant. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church 
and he is a successful farmer, owning 212 acres of good land. 

SAMUEL F. DEDMAN is a son of William and Jane 
(Carder) Dedman, who were born in Kentucky and Virginia, re- 
spectively. The father was a hatter by trade and followed that 
occupation for many years, but on coming to this county in 1820, 
he farmed in connection with his trade. His death occurred 
about 1858 ; the mother dying several years later. The sub- 
jcet of our sketch was born in Patoka Township, Pike Co., 
Ind., January 9, 1824, and when eighteen years old began work- 
ing for himself in a mill. Later he began farming on rented 
places, and in about three years he had accumulated enough 
money to purchase forty acres of land. By hard work 
and good management he now owns 258 acres of good land, 
»175 of which are cleared and furnished with good buildings. 
June 11, 1846, Ellen M. Dunham, born October 1, 1829, became 
his wife. Her parents are Charles and Maria (Campbell) Dun- 
ham. Mr. and Mrs. Dedman are the parents of six children: 
Zachariah T., Rufus D., Rowene N., Maria, John Q. and Willard 
E. In 1865, Mr. Dedman enlisted in Company K, One Hundred 
and Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry and served his country faith- 
fully for eight months. In politics he is a Republican, having 
cast his first vote for Harrison. He has succeeded well as a 
farmer and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. 

CAPT. NATHAN EVANS, one of the early citizens of Wins- 
low, Ind., is a son of James M. and Louise (Curtis) Evans. 
The father was born near Murfreesboro, Tenn., and the mother 
at Tompkinsville, Ky. About 1844 he came to this county and 



42'! iii-roiiv OF imk;-: county. 

t'ollowt'ii -^clioi.l t'T.cliini!;. carptMittM'iji^r, (•.■ibinet-makiii*^-. sho.'- 
]iiaki»>L, .liui Hiilliiii;'. Plt^ livoil in Wiiislow until ISt'il. when lie 
[„isse(l fi-diii aiiioiit^ the liviiii^-. His widow still lives and is t!' ■ 
Avife of Mastoi) Holhuul. Nathan was l)oni in Harrison County. 
liUi.. July 27, lS;i',). AVhen the cloutl of rebellion rose threaten- 
in^^iy in the South, he shouldered his )nusket and enlisted in Coin- 
paiiy (t, Fitty-eighth Indiana Infantry, July 2(). 18<)1. At Stone 
River. C'hickaiuauga and Mission Ridge, he. with the other 
lit'fdt's of C'om])any (I. fought bravely for the [)reservation of the 
I'uion. After a veteran furlough of thirty days he rej(»ined his 
corps and went on that long and perilous march to Savannah. 
In July. 1S()2. he was coni]nissi(nied first lieutenant, and three 
months later he arose to the position of captain. He was honor- 
ably discharged in iSJio after nearl}- four years" faithful service. 
For injuries received in the war he receives, as a slight c(nnpen- 
satio2i. 817 per month. From the families of three Evans 
brothers, eleven Union soldiers were furnished. Mr. Evans 
is a member of the G. A. R., and is a stanch Republi- 
can, but cast his first vote for Douglas. March 24. 18()4, he 
wedded Paralee Crane, born May IS, 184(), daughter of Henry 
H. and Frances (Broyles) Crane. They are the parents of four 
children: Laura. Robert, Helen and Lee. In 1875 Mr. Evans 
was chosen jitstice of the peace, which office he ably filled for four 
years. He is a good carpenter and contractor and stands high in 
the opinion of all. 

CHARLES FETTINGER, senior member of the firm Fet- 
tinger & Beasley, is a son of George and Harriet (Hillman) 
Fettinger. natives of South Carolina. The father followed coop- 
ering and at the same time worked a large farm. At different 
times he held the offices of justice, assessor, and county commis- 
sioner. During his second term of office, his death occurred in 
February, 1883. Charles, our subject, was born in Pike County, 
Ind., August G, 1847. On attaining his majority, he began work- 
ing for himself, farming on a rented place. After five years he 
bought a farm of forty acres which he worked until 1879, when 
he took charge of the county asylum where he remained two 
years. At the expiration of this time he entered the grocery 
business in Winslow. continuing six months, when he purchased 
a half interest in the livery and feed stable, his present business. 
In 1871, Mary Martin became his wife, and to this union tw^o 
children were born: Opha M., and Lovie C. For two terms Mr. 
Fettinger filled the office of county assessor and filled it satisfac- 
torily. He is a Democrat and an enterprising business man. 
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. 

WILLIAM GRANT, outside manager of the Ayrshire Coal 
Mines, is the son of James and Elizabeth (Shaw) Grant. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETrilKS. 421 

They wi^re natives <.i' Tiiveniessliiro, Scotlaiitl. wliere the father 
was born in IT'.'U and the mother in 1802: the father is a 
irierchant and has folhm-ed that business for sixty-seven years. 
They both' live in the oki country fuid are liale and hearty. 
Our subject Avns born in his parents' native j»Lace October 
11. 1847. He received good educational advantages, gradu- 
ating from the grammar school in his native shire; at the age of 
nineteen he began book-keejung in a hardware store in Glasgow, 
Scotland, and in 18G7 he came to this country and landed at New 
York, where he w^1s book-keeper for a railroad company till 1878, 
when he came to this county and State and worked for one year 
on the farm, and in 1880 entered upon his present duties, Au- 
gust 10, 1874, he married Mary, daughter of Henry and Sarah 
Giles of Kentucky, and they are tlie ])arents of three children: Anna 
Bella, William Shaw and H. B. S. Mr. Grant is a warm Republi- 
can and cast his iirst vote for Grant. As a business man he is 
very successful, and he and wife are much respected by all. They 
aie worthy citizens and fi<-jam.modating neighbors. 

WILLIAM WINSLOvv' HATHAWAY^ifter whom the town 
of Winslow was named, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Traylor) 
Hatliaway. John w^as a native of Massachusetts and a miller by 
trade, having built one of the first mills in Pike County, and op- 
erated it until his death, a period of about thirty years. William 
was born in the town wdiicli now bears his name, April 17, 1837. 
At the age of seventeen he began working for himself on his farm 
of 100 acres. In 1878 he began the drug business in Arthur in 
connection Avith farming and ran the store three years. He is a 
good carpenter and has worked at the trade, otf and on, for four 
years. In December, 18-55, he married Sarah Reel, who bore 
him one child, Emeliiie. For his second wife he took Maria 
Pancake, and they became the parents (^f tAvo children : John and 
one unnamed. January 4, 1882, he married his third wife, Eliz- 
abeth Crow, born December 28, 1835. and daughter of William 
and Mary (Shaw) Crow. In 187(5, Mr. HathaAvay was elected to 
the office of justice of the peace, and filled the position with abil- 
ity for four years. In politics he is a Republican, having cast 
his first vote for Lincoln. During the war, he twice went to 
Evansville and offered his services for his country, but was rejected 
o)i account of disabilites. He and wife are much respected by 
their actjuaintances as neighbors and friends. 

EMBREE HATHAWAY, a well to do farmer of Pike Coun- 
ty, Ind., is the son of John and Elizabeth (Traylor) Hathaway. 
Embree was born in Pike County, June 24, 1845, and during his 
T)oyhood days had very poor advantages for schooling. By con- 
tact with business life he has now a very good practical education. 
He lived wdth his widoAved mother until he Avas tAventy-five years 



422 }!ISTORV OF PIKK COUNTY. 

old. Avhrji lie l)o*j^aii mercliaiidising iji Winslow as one oi* the 
i-duai pHi'tners in the store of HathaAvay A' Whitman, abou^ tw' 
years hitcr ]io sokl liis interest in tlie store and worked on his iarni 
Ml' two years when he went to Arthur and kept a general merchandise 
store for six jears. He then returned to the farm and commenced 
raising bees, and is carrying on the business quite extensively. 
July 10. 1870, he married Sibyl Maxan, born in 1850, after the 
lirief space of five years his wife ilied leaving one child, AVill- 
iam. May 29 of the next year he Avedded Eliza G^vartney, born 
September 10, 1858. to this union four children were born: Min- 
nie, Frank, Denny and Fred. Mr. Hathaway has always been a 
Republican and cast his first vote for Grant. 

LERIGHT HOUCHIN is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth 
(Clifford) Houchin. The father was born May 17, 17i)8, in Ken- 
tucky, and the mother, a native of the same State, was born in 
17*J(). Soon after their marriage they moved to Gibson County, 
Ind., and located in Pike County in 1827. They lived three 
years near Honey Springs, and then moved to Lockhart Town- 
ship, where the father died in 1801. The mother lived till 1872. 
Our subject was born October 25, 1825, in Gibson County, Ind., 
and in early life received but little schooling, never having 
attended more than seven months. When twenty -one years old 
he began clearing up a farm for himself, but not being satisfied 
with liis surroundings he sold out and bought 100 acres of the 
farm on which he now lives. He now owns 775 acres of land, 
340 under cultivation. October 25, 1840, Sarah Davis became 
his wife. She was born February 11, 1827, and is the daughter 
of Jesse and Nancy (Mason) Davis. Her father was one of the 
heroes who fought at the battle of New Orleans. Her mother, 
born in 1797, still lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Houchin three chil- 
dren were born: Devore C, Theodore P., and Commodore D.. all 
of whom are married, settled in the neighborhood and doing 
well. Mr. Houchin is a Republican and cast his first vote for 
Clay. He and wife and son. Commodore, belong to the Baptist 
Church. 

THOMAS A. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer of Pike Coun- 
ty, is a son of Robert and Caroline (McClanhan) Johnson, and 
was born in Pike County, Ind., December 17, 1852. On attain- 
ing his majority he began working for himself on his father's 
farm. For a year he kept " bach," and June 3, 1875, he was mar- 
ried to America Whitman, born February 22, 1855, in Pike 
County. She is a daughter of Job R. and Palina (Hunt) Whit- 
man. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are Festus E., 
Cora F., Flora B. and Mattie M. Mr. Johnson is a wide-aAvake 
young Republican and cast his first vote for Gen. Grant. He re- 
ceived sixty acres of land from his father and by industry and 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 423 

economy he now owns 120 acres, of which about seventy are 
cleared and cultivated. In all his enterprises he has been very 
successful and is now on the road to become a wealthy and popu- 
lar citizen. 

EICHARD H. KINMAN, merchant, Hosmer, Ind., is the 
son of Burrell and Nancy (Selby) Kinman. He was born in 
Pike County, Ind., June 25, ISS-i, and when a lad, received in- 
struction in the common schools. When twenty-two years old 
he began working for himself on his farm of 120 acres, on which 
he lived until in July, 1885, when he moved to Hosmer, and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, buying a half interest in the 
dry goods and grocery store, known under the title of Kinman & 
Kinman. In addition to this Mr. Kinman is freight agent at 
Hosmer. September 28, 1870, he wedded Mary A. Troutman, 
born December 28, 1858, Four children were born to their 
union: Nancy E., Ira B., Israel P. H. and Oscar E. Mr. Kinman 
is one of the leading young Republicans of the township, having 
ica,st his first vn.ia fnr Havps. He is a successful and well known 
business man and is much respected by all. 

ROBERT LAUDER, general superintendent of the Ayrshire 
Coal Mines, is the son of Thomas and Agnes (McKnight) Lau- 
der, who were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, where his father 
worked as a miner until 1873, when ' he came to America and 
located in Illinois where he died in 1879. The mother came to 
this country a year later than her husband and yet lives in Illi- 
nois. Robert was born September 3, 1838, in Scotland and as 
he began working in the mines when only eleven years old, he 
received a very limited education. In 1868 he came to this 
country and mined for three years in Illinois and afterward be-* 
came superintendent of some mines in that State, then he worked 
some mines of his own in Kentucky and finally in 1879 he opened 
the Ingleton Mines. In 1883 he became superintendent of the 
Ayrshire Mines and has filled that position ever since. Jun.e 30, 
1860, he was married to Margaret Hewitson, born January 25, 
1841, and they became the parents of eleven children: Ann T>. 
(deceased), Agnes McKnight, Mary, Margaret (deceased), Thomas, 
William H., Robert (deceased), Margaret, Robert, Anna D. and 
Janie H. Agnes and Mary are married to miners and the two 
sons Thomas and William are engineers at the mines. Mr. Lau- 
der has been postmaster of Ingle for three years. He owns thir- 
teen acres in town lots besides a good eighty acre farm. He 
originated the idea of manufacturing coke at the mines. He sent 
some that he had made to some of the principal cities and it was 
pronounced first class, they have now eight furnaces and promise 
to do an extensive business. Mr. Lauder and wife are members 
of the Established Church of Scotland and he is a Republican and 
cast his first vote for Hayes. 



124 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

ALONZO MAETIN, merchant of Winslow, is the son of 
Thomas and Mary (Traylor) Martin. The father was bom in 
Kentucky, August 5, 1818, and the mother in Pike County, Ind.. 
May 24, 1828. They Avere married in this county and located in 
Petersburg where Thomas worked at blacksmithing for about five 
years and then moved on a farm where he remained ten or eleven 
years. After moving to W inslow, he followed successfuly milling, 
blacksmithing and merchandising. November 21, 1884, he, at 
the ripe old age of seventy-one years, passed from among the liv- 
ing. Our subject was born September 7, 1845, in Pike County 
where lie received the advantages of tlie common schools, and 
when so small that he was unable to strike the anvil without 
standing on a box, he began to work at his father's trade. When 
sixteeji years old he began working in the tobacco business at 
which he continued three years, meeting with fair success. March 
29, 18(»4, he volunteered his services for the Nation's weal, and 
enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry and served 
for sixteen months. On his returning from the army, he received 
a one-fourtli interest in his father's store and in 1868 he purchased 
his father's interest, thereby becoming sole proprietor. Mary E. 
Edmondson, born -June 20, 1841), became his wife November 29, 
18Hr), and to their union five children were born: Harry, Charley, 
Ralph and two unnamed. Only Charley and Ralph are now liv- 
ing. In 187t) Mr. Martin was elected to the office of trustee of 
Patoka Township and filled the position ably for about four years. 
After an interval of four years he was again elected to fill the 
office. Under his supervision the condition of the schools has 
constantly been bettered. He commenced life a poor boy, but 
now owns a good store and is well respected by all who know him. 
He is a leading Republican, having cast his first vote for U. S. 
Grant. 

HON. GEORGE W. MASSEY, one of the prominent farmers 
of Patoka Townshijx Pike Co., Ind., is a son of Joshua J. and 
Harriet M. (Smith) Massey. They were natives of Queen Anne 
County, Md., where the father was born February 16, 1795, and 
the mother, November 11, 1797. They were married the 13th 
of March, 1821, and lived in Maryland until 1840, when they 
came to Evansville, Ind., and lived for three years in Terre 
Haute. Finally in 1848, they settled on the farm where George 
now lives. They purchased KK) acres of timber land, cleared 
off a spot and built their first log house. The father's death 
occurred October 18, 1844, and his widow's December 8, 1857. 
Our subject was born in his parents' native county, March 26, 
1828, and when eighteen years old, commenced learning the 
carpenter's trade in Terre Haute, remaining there two years, 
and then came to this county with his father, and worked on 



BIOGUAPHICAL SKETCHES. 425 

the farm, which occupation lie has followed ever since. He 
inherited eighty acres of land from his father's estate, and by 
economy and hard work, he now owns 320 acres, 220 of which 
are under cultivation, and furnished with excellent baildings. 
May 0, 1858, he took for his life companion, Lucretia Bowlen, 
born February 24, 1830, and daughter of Jarret and Mary J. 
(Ruskj Bowlen. They became the j)arents of six children: 
James J., Horace H., William M., Charlotte L., Harriet M. and 
Cleorge W., all of whom are deceased except Harriet. About 
1853, Mr. Massey was elected township trustee, fillijig the office 
three years. In 1856, he was called by the unanimous voice of 
the people of his county to represent them in the State Legis- 
lature as a member of the House. For three sessions he filled 
that responsible position with great credit to himself. About a 
jear after his retirement from that office, he was appointed to 
fill a vacancy as county commissioner, and at the expiration of 
that term, was re-elected to the position for two terms. He has 
filled all the positions of trust and honor with great ability, 
and to the entire satisfaction of the people. It may be said of 
him, that he has never sought for office, and has never spent a 
cent, directly or indirectly, to influence a man to support him 
with his vote, but he has been chosen unanimously by the peo- 
ple. He is a leading Democrat of Pike County, and cast his 
first vote for Polk. His life has been an entire success, and he 
is known and respected throughout this portion of the State. 

WILLIS F. McCOY, merchant, of Winslow, Pike Co., 
Ind., is a son of Stark and Marinda (Kelsey) McCoy, who were 
natives of Warren County, Ky., where the father was born 
about 1828. He followed farming in his native State until 
1857, when he ^ moved to Illinois. He took several trips to 
Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, but always returned to the 
Sucker State where he still lives, being married to Celia 
McKinzie, his first wife having died in 1858. Willis was born 
in Warren County, Ky., December 25, 1851. The education he 
received in boyhood was very limited, and up to the age of 
twenty-one, the only school book he possessed, was an old "blue- 
back" spelling book. He was unable to write his own name, 
but by continued exertion and ambition, he has now a very 
good business education. He followed the occupation of farm- 
ing in Illinois, until 1881, when he came to this country. A 
year later, he purchased a stock of drugs of G. B. Ashby, and 
commenced the drug business in Winslow, January 12, 1882. 
Lucinda Aust, born May 24, 1847, in Kentucky, became his 
wife, and to their union one child was born, Mary May. Mr. 
McCoy is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Tilden. He 
is an excellent citizen and successful business man. 



420 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

JOSEPH MILLARD, merchant, of Winslow, Ind., is a 
son of William and Etheldra (Sparks) Willard, who were natives 
of Londonshire, England, where the father was born, in 1802. 
The father was a butcher by trade, and worked at that business 
for twenty-six years. In 1847 he came to this country, and 
farmed in Williams County, Ohio, for two years, and then went 
to Steuben County, Ind., and then to Illinois, and finally settled 
in Pike County, Ind., in 1858. The father still lives with his 
daughter in Illinois; the mother died in 1851. Joseph was born 
July 15, 1840, in the same shire as his parents, and at the age 
of twenty enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fourth Indiana In- 
fantry. He served his adopted country faithfully for eight 
months, when he received an injury that disabled him for the 
rest of the war. As a slight compensation for the injury, he re- 
ceives a pension of $8 per month. After his return from the 
army he began blacksmithing in Winslow, and continued at that 
business about seventeen years. He kept a restaurant in Illinois 
for some time, but in 1879 he began keeping groceries in Wins- 
low, where he is doing a good business. Margaret Erans be- 
came his wife December 8, 1867, and they became the parents of 
three children: Dora, Carrie and Bertha. Mr. Millard is one 
of the leading Republicans in his township, and cast his first 
vote for Lincoln. He is a successful business man and a wide- 
awake citizen. 

WILLIAM C. RICHARDSON is a son of Edward P. and 
Eliza (Fleener) Richardson, who were natives of Indiana, born 
in 1807 and 1808, respectively. The father, when quite young, 
moved to Warrick County, where he married and followed the 
life of a farmer in that county until his death, in 1831. The 
mother lived until 1870. Our subject was born in Warrick 
County, December 8, 1830. When nineteen years old he left 
home and began working for himself. In 1852 he bought his 
first farm of forty acres, which he afterward sold, and took 
charge of the poor asylum, which he ran two years. He then 
purchased the 220 acres of land, where he now lives. December 
5, 1850, he married Caroline Parker, born September 3, 1833, 
daughter of Lorenzo D. and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Parker, and 
to their union tAvelve children were born: Eliza J., Brazilla, 
Thomas J., Joseph W., Andrew J., Mary E., John W., Sarah M., 
Caroline B., Nancy E., Edward P. and one unnamed. Both hus- 
band and Avife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rich- 
ardson is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Pierce. 

HENRY G. SELBY, farmer, of Pike County, Ind., is a son 
of Richard and Betsey A. (Gladish) Selby. The father came to 
this county at a very early day, when nearly all the present pro- 
ductive farms wi^ro dense forests, inhabited by many wild animals. 



BIOGUArilirAL SKETCIIE.-!. 427 

Hpre he located, ami here both his parents died. Our subject Avas 
born in Pike County, Ind., February 11, 1.S8.S. ajid at the age of 
twenty-one began to do for himself, working on the farm of 
eighty acres given him by his father. He succeeded so well that 
he now owns 1(K) acres of land, of Avhich 100 acres are under cul- 
tivatitm. March 1, ISC.O, he married Elizabeth McCain, born 
AugTist 11, l'S8S. in Pike County, and after a wedded life of sev- 
enteen years, Mrs. Selby died, leaving two children: Zilpha A. 
and Harley E. October 13, ISTS, Mr. Selby married Louisa 
Crow, born Marcli t), 1843, in Pike County. Both husband and 
wife are members of the General Baptist Church. August 19, 
1N()2, Henry enlisted in Company I, Forty-second Indiana In- 
fantry, and partici})ated in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and 
numerous other engagements. He was quite severely wounded 
Avhile in service, and now receives a pension of S4 per month. 
He is a stanch Re})ublican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. 

GEORGE SHEPHERD, farmer, was born November, 1, 1827, 
in Sullivan County, Ind., and is the son of Stephen and Sarah 
! Porter) Sliepherd. The father was born in Yirginia, and his 
parents wei-e natives of Wales. The mother Avas born in South 
Carolina, and her ancestors were Scotch. They lived most of 
their married life in Sullivan County, where they died, 
the father in 1858 and the mother i]i 1879. Our subject's 
educational advantages were limited, but by his own ef- 
forts he acquired a practical education. It was his father's 
custom to give his sons (of whom he had nine) forty acres of 
land on reaching their majority, but George surrendered his 
chiim to the land in consideration that he should be free at nine- 
tee]!. By the time he was of age he had saved enough money to 
[rarehase eighty acres of land. In 1852 he married Berthana 
Wyatt. and to them were born five children: Sarah, Lucinda, 
Thomas, Rachel and Stephen. Mr. Shepherd is a Avide-awake 
Democrat and cast his first A'ote for Cass on the very day he Avas 
twenty-one years old; he moved to Pike County in 1807, and 
OAvns a good farm of 335 acres; he has folloAved the various occu- 
pations of flat-boating, Avorking on the canal and railroad, and in 
a saAV-mill, but noAv makes farming his occui)ation, in which he 
lias been very successful. 

ARTHUR THOMPSON, one of the pioneer settlers of Pike 
County, Ind., is the son of James and Mary (English) Thomp- 
son. The father was a native of Ireland, and Avlien quite young 
came to Kentucky, Avhere he married. In 1820 he came to this 
State and located in Patoka ToAvnship, Pike County, AA^here he 
lived till his death. Avliich occurred in 1837, the mother living 
till 1857. Our subject Avas born in Kentucky, January 20, 1810. 
As the nearest schoolhouse Avas six miles from his home his 



428 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

education.;! advantages were limited. In 1837 he began clearing 
tlir farm where he now lives, and by energy and good manage- 
ment he at one time owned nearly 1,000 acres of land. Septem- 
ber 20, 1837 he married Ada Almon, who was born in Kentucky, 
in 1820, Their children are John, James, Levi, Matilda. Frank- 
lin and Francis, Holland and Marian. His wife is a member of 
the Baptist Church, and for twelve years he has been postmaster 
of Arthur, the town named in honor of him. He is a Democrat 
in politics and a prominent and enterprising citizen; one of the 
few men who have made Pike County what it is. He was among 
the famous hunters of pioneer times, having killed wolves and as 
many as fifty deer in one winter. 

JOHN THOMPSON is a son of Arthur and Ada Almon 
Thompson, and was born in Pike County, August 23, 1838. 
When twenty-one years old he began teaching, and followed 
that business three years giving good satisfaction; he then turned 
his entire attention to farming and followed that occupation through 
life. October (3, 1859, he married Catharine Selby, born August 5, 
1842, and daughter of Richard and Betsey Selby. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Thompson, six children were born: Arthur W., Richard 
(deceased), Franklin E., Anion, Henry and Gilbert. Mr. Thomp- 
son was a Democrat and cast his first vote for Douglas. He was 
a successful farmer, being the possessor of one of the finest farms 
in Patoka Township. His death occurred July 8, 1870. He was 
a kind father and husband, a useful member of society and 
his loss was deeply felt by all. In 1872 he was appointed county 
commissioner to fill an unexpired term, and filled the duties of 
that office creditably and well. 

ARTHUR AV. THOMPSON, merchant of Arthur, Ind., is the 
son of John and Catharine (Selby) Thompson and was born Sep- 
tember 25, 18()0, near Arthur. He was educated in the common 
schools and attended one term at Petersburg. At the age of 
twenty he began merchandising in Arthur and at first carried a 
stock of drugs but since carried a full line of groceries and dry 
goods, in which he is doing an active business. September 3, 
1882, Johanna Wilson became his wife. She was born July 7, 
1800, in Warrick County, Ind., and is a daughter of James and 
Sarah J. (Judd) AVilson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents 
of one child: Alice M. (deceased). In 1882 Arthur- was ap- 
pointed notary public and has held that position ever since. He 
is a wide-awake young Democrat and cast his first vote for Cleve- 
land, As a business man he is highly successful and now runs a 
$3,000 stock of goods, 

JOHN F, THOMAS, merchant of Winslow was born July 
17, 1841, in Washington County, Ky., and is a son of James 
Thomas and Mary Trotter who were born in Virginia and North 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 429 

Carolina respectively. The fatli«r chose ministry as his life 
work. Aftor marriage he lived for some time in Kentucky and 
afterward moved to Pike County, Ind., where he has lived ever 
since. John F. worked on his father's farm until nineteen years 
old when he enlisted in his country's service in Company I, Forty 
second Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Mur- 
freesboro, Eesaca, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga and on that 
ever memorable march to the sea. After serving nearly four 
years he returned to home and friends and attended for some time 
the schools of Petersburg and then worked on the farm. About 
1880, he began the mercantile business, dealing in furniture, and 
two years later he became a partner in the store known as Thomas & 
Berton. A year later Mr. Thojnas became sole proprietor. Novem- 
ber 3, 1867, he was married to Isabel Adams, daughter of Ed- 
ward and Martha Adams. Mr. Thomas is a warm Kepublican, 
having cast his first vote for Lincoln. He is a very successful 
business man and owns a first-class store. 

GEOEGE WHITMAN M-as born January 19, 1842, in Pike 
County, Ind., and is a son of Job and Perlina (Hunt) Whitman. 
The father was born February 19, 1811, in Randolph County, 
Va., and the mother March 1, 1815, in Tennessee. They were 
married in 1835 and five years later came to Pike County, loca- 
ting near Ingle. The mother passed from among the living Feb- 
ruary 8, 1885. The father still lives at the ripe old age of sev- 
enty-four. At the age of twenty years George began working 
for himself on his present farm. In 18()5, he volunteered his 
services for the Union and enlisted in Company I, One Hundred 
and Forty-third Infantry. At the close of the war, he returned home 
to take charge of his farm of seventy acres, which he has since 
increased to 150 acres. In 1861, he married Mary A. Williams, 
born May 21, 1845, daughter of Charles H. and Phoebe (Bolin) 
Williams. To them two children were born: Palina and Noble 
K. both deceased. March 2, 1865, Mrs. Whitman died and April 
7, 1868, he was married to Alice, daughter of George AV. and 
Abarila DeBruler, and they became the parents of tliese children : 
Abarila, Morley S., Gingsley L., John W., and Ethel. In 1862, 
Mr. Whitman was licensed to exhort and in 18()() was licensed to 
preach, becoming a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist 
Church in 1883, in which profession he has been an earnest 
worker ever since. He is a Republican and he and wife are much 
esteemed and respected by all. 

HENRY J. WIGGS is a son of Alexander and Matary 
( Wagoner )Wiggs. The father was born in North Carolina in 
1799, and the mother in Tennessee in 180(). Here they were 
married and lived for five years and then came to Petersburg in 
1828, where the father Avorked at the blacksmith's trade for about 



430 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

thirteeji \»"';irs and tlieii inoye<r to his farm near Winslow, where 
he ilied February 7, ls7'2. The mother still lives and is srveniy- 
nine years old. Oar subject was l)orn February 5, 1S.3U, and m 
boyhood received a common school education. By his own efforts 
he prepared himself for teachijig and has been engaged in that 
])usiness for the last twenty years, meeting with the best of suc- 
cess. August IS, 1S()2, he enlisted in Com\)any H, Eightieth 
Indiana Infantry, and ])articipated in the battles of Perryville, 
Buzzard Boost. Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mountain. Dnring his 
service, l^e received internal injuries tor Avhich he receives the 
slight compensation of §<> })er month. After three years service 
he returned home and June 11, 1N()7. he married Elizabeth 
Mason, born February 12, ISlC), daughter of David and Louise 
(Rhea) Mason. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiggs, ten children were 
born: Alexander, Everett, Louella, Joseph, Frederick, Mary. 
Minnie (deceased), Thomas J. Addison and Clarence. Mr. 
AViggs is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Douglas. He 
owns 114 acres of good land and is a worthy citizen. 

WILLIAM C' WIGGS is a son of William C. Wiggs, Sr., 
and Patsey Coleman. The father was born near Winslow, 
April 25, 1825. By occupation he was a farmer and remained 
on the home place till his death. May 2(5, 1849. The mother 
lived until 1852. The subject of our biography was born in Pike 
County, Ind., October 3, 1849, and at the age of sixteen hired 
out as a farm hand and began working for himself. He spent 
six years in Illinois and in 1872 he purchased forty acres of land 
and began his career as a tiller of the soil. He has since in- 
creased his farm to eighty acres and lifty-five are under culti- 
vation. December 29, 1870, he married Frances M. Selby, born 
August 28, 1852: She is a daughter oi' Peter and Eliza (Butler) 
Selby. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggs are the parents of three children: 
Orra A., Clarence and Purvace. Both husband and wife are 
members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wiggs is a stanch Demo- 
crat and cast his first vote for Greeley. 
^ CHARLES H. WILLIAMS was ^born in Kentucky August 
25, 1820. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Arnold) Will- 
iams and were natives of Maryland and Virginia. In early life 
the father worked at carpentering, but later followed the life of a 
farmer. In 1839 he and family came to Dubois County, Ind., 
where he died a year later. The mother's death occurred in 1870. 
Charles worked on different farms until he had saved enough 
money to buy forty acres of land in Dubois County ; later he 
s Id that and purchased eighty acres of timber land. In 1852 
he sold his farm and came to Pike County, locating on a farm of 
1()0 acres near Ingle. He now owns 347 acres of good farming 
land, furnished with ijood buildinofs. In addition to runninff his 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH tc. 481 

extensive farm, he engages quite extensively iji stock raising, and 
meets with good success in both occupations. May 25, 1842, he 
married Phoebe Bolin, who died in 1805, leaving these children: 
Thomas, Mary, Jarret, Charles, Catharine, Philip and James. 
May 25, 18G6, Elizabeth Cochran became his wife and to their 
marriage seven children were born: Charles E., Samuel, John, 
Melvina, Fannie, Ida and Curtis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams 
are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a Republican, 
and cast his first vote for Clav. 

EDWARD WILLIAM, the only miller in Winslow, is the son 
of Benjamin and Mary (Schultz) William, both of whom were 
natives of Prussia. The father was a miller and wheat merchant, 
and followed that occupation until his death in 1838. The 
mother's death occurred in 1882. Edward was born in the same 
province as his parents, January 27, 1827, and obtained a very 
good common school education. In 1850 he bade his native land 
farewell and embarked for the United States. He proceeded im- 
mediately to southern Indiana, where he followed milling until 
1860, when he built a mill of his own in German Township, and 
ran it five years. In 1867 he located at Oakland City and oper- 
ated a mill at that place until 1883, when he built his present 
three-story flouring-mill in AVinslow, known as the Patoka Val- 
ley Mill. He was married to Bettie Goerlitz in 1855, and they 
are the parents of five children: Caroline, Louise, Bettie, Anna 
and Edward. Both husband and wife are members of the Evan- 
gelical Church, and Mr. William is a Democrat and cast his first 
vote for Franklin Pierce. On reaching this country Mr. William 
had about S70 worth of clothing, all of which was stolen save 
the suit he had on, leaving him nothing but his trade. He now 
owns one of the best mills in the county, besides 16G acres of 
excellent farmins: land. 



LOCKHART TOWNSHIP. 



DR. C. J. AGEE, is the son of Rev. Alfred and Katherine 
Agee, and was born March 22, 1839 in Campbell County, Tenn. 
In 1801 he came to Pike County, Ind., where he permanently set- 
tled. In April of that year he enlisted in Company H, Twenty- 
fourth Indiana Volunteers and fought bravely for his country in the 
battles of Shiloh, Port Gibson, and Champion Hills. In the latter 
battle he was wounded severely in the left arm and side. He 
was in the battle of Blakely and then went to Galveston and was 
sent to Indianapolis, Ind., where he received his discharge. Feb- 



432 MISTOllV OF PIKE CoUNTV. 

ruary 4. 1872. lie married Caroline Farmer of Pike County. 
Tliei-' 'liiion resulted in three children — twt) sons and one daughter. 
-May, Ray and Carl. Mr. Agee acquired an excellent EngJish cdu- 
cjition. l)eing a graduate of Walden Academy, Tennessee. He 
taught eighteen terms of school in Pike County and two terms in 
Teiiuessee. In 1S71 he entered upon the practice of medicine, in 
wliich profession he has been very successful. He is a member 
of the I. O. O. P. and the G. A. R. In politics he is a leading 
Kepuldican and is one of Pike County's most esteemed citizens. 
His j)arents were natives of Tennessee, born respectively in 1813, 
and 18lo, and died in 1873 and 1875. 

CHARLES G. BExVCH was born near Harrington, Coini., 
June 22. 1821. April 1(5, 18()2, he wedded Emily J. Woolsey of 
Pike County, Ind., and they became the parents of six children: 
Sylvester (married), Clara, James W. (deceased), Arizona, Stella 
and Eva. Charles G. is the son of Levi and Abigail Beach whc 
were born in Connecticut, the father in 1^71)0. The mother die<l 
in 1827. The father died in Missouri on the 1st of January. 
1874. Our subject acquired his education through self exertiou: 
he is not a member of any church, but his wife belongs to the 
General Baptist Church; he is at the present time keeping a gen- 
eral merchandise store in Augusta and also buys and sells to- 
bacco; he was for some time engaged in the milling business in 
Missouri, but has not worked at that business for a number of 
years ; he is one of the founders of Augusta and a stanch Re- 
publican and has held the office of postmaster three years; he is 
the owner of 1,070 acres of land on which are three coal mines, 
(me very extensive. The first is eighteen inches, the second 
five feet, and twenty feet below the first, the third vein is six 
feet in thickness and forty-seven feet below the five foot vein ; lie 
has also found some indications of silver and lead on his farm. 

RUDOLPH BUTKA, farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike 
Co., Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany in 1827. Being 
a young man of energy and enterprise, he determined to come 
to America and seek his fortune. Accordingly he embarked 
for this country in 1845, and landed at Baltimore and then 
went to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained eleven years and 
worked as a day laborer : he finally settled on his present farm in 
Pike County, Ind., and has since tilled the soil. April 12, 1853, 
his marriage with Diena Wellmeyer, a native of Prussia, was 
solemnized, and to their union eleven children were born — eight 
sons and three daughters: Henry, John, Samuel, Sophia (wife of 
Ernst Poetker), Minnie, William, Mary, Eddie; and Ernst and two 
dead who were not named. Mr. Butka takes an active interest in 
political affairs and is a warm Democrat; he has succeeded well 
as a farmer and he and family are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 433 

JOHN H. DOTKEK, a well-to-do farmer of Lockhait 
Township, Pike Co., Ind., and son of John H., Sr; and Kath- 
rinaE. Dotker, was born September 10, 1819, in Germany, and 
when about twenty-eight years old, he determined to seek his 
fortune in the new world, and accordingly in 1847, embarked for 
the United States and landed at Quebec. He remained there but 
a short time and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked 
for eight years as a laborer. Christina Niemiller, of Cincinnati, 
became his wife in 1856, and their union was blessed with eight 
children — three sons and j&ve daughters: Louisa and John (de- 
ceased ) , Mina, Frederick, August, Lisetta, Emma and Lizzie, liv- 
ing, Mr. Dotkers German education is somewhat limited. He 
and his family belong to the Evangelical St. Paul's Church. In 
politics he is a warm Democrat, and has always followed farming 
as an occupation, in which business he has been very successful. 
In 1850, he settled on his present farm in Lockhart Township, 
and has since resided there, known and respected by all. 

HENKY EILEET, a native of Prussia, and a son of Henry 
and Margaret Eilert, was born April 21, 1828. He received a 
good education in the schools of his native country, and when 
about twenty-six years old, he left home and friends and came to 
America to seek his fortune. He landed at New Orleans, and 
finally settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, where he made his 
home for a number of years. His marriage with Louise Wessel, 
of Cincinnati, Ohio, was solemnized July 21, 1859, and their 
union was blessed with ten children, eight of whom are living: 
Henry, Fred, Mina, Eosa, Elizabeth, Katy. Flora and Martha. 
On the 21st of March, 1881, Mrs. Eilert was called from this 
earth, and since that time his daughters have been his housekeep- 
ers. As members of the Lutheran Church, he and his family have 
aided all benevolent enterprises with their money and influence. 
His political views are Republican, and he takes an active interest 
in the affairs of the day. He has always followed the occupation 
of farming, but is a cabinet-maker by trade, and is also a good 
carpenter, and has been successful in all his enterprises. His 
father was born in 1794, in Prussia, and died in 1865. The 
mother's birth occurred in 1797, and her death in 1844. 

OBADIAH J. GREENWAY, is a son of AVilliam and Melin- 
da Greenway, who were natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, and 
born in 181() and 1819, respectively. They are the parents of 
three living children : Agnes E., Jennie and Obadiah. The sub- 
ject of our sketch was born in Dubois County, Ind., January 7, 
1843. He obtained a fair education in the common schools of 
Dubois County, and when twenty-three years old, he married 
Sarah J. Marshall, of Warrick Co. Their union was blesf.ed 
with seven children — two sons and five daughters : William T. 



434 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

(deceased). Charles E., (deceased), Carrie J. (deceased), Melinda 
I., Nancy E. and Mary M. He is a Democrat, and a member of 
the I. 0. O, F., of Selvin, Warrick Co., Ind. While he was 
a resident of Dubois County, he served two terms as assessor of 
Patoka Township, and in 1884, was elected to the office of trus- 
tee of Lockhart Township, which office he holds at the present 
time. Previous to the election of trustee, he had been engaged 
in the hardware business in Stendal, where he was very success- 
ful financially. He is a good officer and prominent citizen of 
Lockhart Township. 

DE. LOUIS H. HILSMEYEE. is a son of Adolph and 
Henrietta Hilsmeyer, who were born in Germany ; the father in 
1818, and the mother in 1828. They were married in the United 
States, and became the parents of nine children, six now living. 
Louis H., was born in Pike County, Ind., October 1(), 1856, and 
when nineteen years old, began to earn his own living by teach- 
ing school, which business he followed for about five years. He 
then entered upon the study of medicine at Holland, Ind., and 
afterwai'd attended the Jefferson Medical College of Louisville, 
Ky., for one term, and the Evansville Medical College, and grad- 
uated in 1884. While at Evansville he served as resident physi- 
cian in the city hospital, and was ready to enter upon his jjrofes- 
sion with considerable experience. He is an earnest member of 
the Methodist Church, a warm Eepublican in politics, a 
successful physician and prominent man of Stendal. Adolph 
Hilsmeyer, father of our subject, is a son of Henry and Mary 
Hilsmeyer, and was born January 2, 1818, in Prussia. He came 
to the United States in 1847, and remained for about five years 
in Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked as a day laborer. January 1, 
1849, he married. Henrietta Meyer, and they became the parents 
of these children: John H., Henry W., Louis, Sophia (wife of 
Fred Stork), Anna and Frederick. He is a Eepublican in politics 
and he and wife are very much esteemed as friends and neighbors. 

JOHN HILSMEYEE, a prominent citizen and farmer of 
Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, May 7, 1852. He lived with his parents until he was 
twenty-one years old, when he began working for himself. He 
came West, and April 18, 1876, Lydia Niehaus, of Dubois 
County, Ind., became his wife. They became the parents of 
four children — one son and three daughters : Lule, Cora, Emma 
and Daniel (deceased). Mr. Hilsmeyer has a good education in 
English and German, and he and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Church. In politics he is a Eepublican and is looked 
upon by all as one of Pike County's most esteemed and well 
known citizens. He began life with little or nothing, but by in,- 
dustry and the aid of his energetic wife, he has made a fair com- 
petency. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 43;' 

HENRY W. HILSMEYER, is a son of Adolpii and Henri- 
H.tta Hilsnj ver (see sketch of Louis Hilsnieyer), and was born 
in Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., May 20, 1854. • He 
has a good German education in the sciiools of Indiana, and can 
read and write the English Language. December 20, 1883, he 
took for his life com})anion Lizzie Satkamp, a native of Lock- 
hart Townshi]) and their union was blessed with one child, a 
daughter. Nettie Rosa. Mr. Hilsmeyer and wife are members of 
the Methodist Church, and as a Republican he takes a lively in- 
terest in the affairs of the county in which he is a prominent 
farmer and upright citizen. 

FREDERICK LIPPOLDT is a son of Henry and Elizabeth 
Lippoldt, who were natives of Germany where the father was 
born in 178t) and the mother in 1796. They immigrated to the 
United States in 1843, landing at Baltimore and came directly to 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained five years and then re- 
moved to Hai]ging Rock, Ohio, remaining two years and finally 
settled on a farm in Pike County, Ind., where they both died, 
the father in 1855 and the mother in l8(uJ. Frederick, our sub- 
ject, was born February 18, 1835. in Hanover and came with his 
parents to the United States. He led the life of the average 
farmer boy and obtained a very fair English and German edu- 
cation. In October, 185(5. he took for his life companion, Mary 
Dickmann of Dubois County, Ind. They became the parents of 
twelve children, nine now living: Louis, Henry, John, Edmund, 
Emma, Louisa, Caroline, Elenora, Bertha and Elizabeth, and 
Joel and Annie, deceased. Mr. Lippoldt is a successful farmer 
and has been aided and encouraged by his worthy and intelligent 
wife. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a 
Democrat and is much esteemed by all. 

JOHN MEYERHOLTZ is the son of William and Engel 
Meyerholtz, who Avere natives of Hanover, Germany. The father 
Avas born in 1814, and died in 187(). The mother's birth occur- 
red in 1820 and she is at present residing in Pike County, Ind. 
John, the subject of our sketch, was born in Dubois County, Ind., 
December 27, 1844, and experienced many of the hardships of 
the pioneer boy. He received a very good German education, 
and April 27, 1871, he took Lisette Egbert of Ohio, to be his 
companion through life. Their union was blessed with four 
children — three sons and one daughter: John, Henry, Ernst and 
Oceta. Mrs. Meyerholtz is quite well educated and can read and 
write both English and German, and has in every sense of the 
word been a helpmate to her husband. Both parents are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church and he is a Democrat. 

W. S. McNEELY, farmer of Lockhart Township, Pike Co.. 
Ind., is a son of William and Mary McNeely. They were natives 



48() illSTOKV OK I'lKI'] COL'NTV. 

<)i' Wfiv ■Liv County. Iiiil., where tlie father died in ls(;5. Tl\e 
i.iucher was ])()rii in 1828 and lives in Pike Coaiity. Tlie s ll)j<'l^ 
of otii' sketch was horn in Warrick County July Dl lS-4-8. Jan- 
ujiry I". hMi'.t, his marriage with El izaheth Corn, of Pike County. 
was cfliM, rated, and February of the same yeai' he moved to the 
iibove comity, where he has since lieen engaged .-is a tiller of the 
soih and in wlucii Inisiness lie has been (^aite successful. He also 
<leids <[uite extensively in stock and rnnks among the first men in 
the county as an honest and reliable citizen. Mr. McNeelv's edu- 
cation is someAvhat linuted, owing to the andeve]oj)ed school sys- 
tems of that early day, but by contact with business life he has 
overcome this to a considerable degree. He is m Democrat in 
jjolitics. To Mr. and Mrs. McNeely's union one child was born 
- -a daughter, Nancy Cordelia, who died at the age of four 
months. 

FREDEKICK NEWPtING is a son of Dietrich and Maria 
Newring, natives of Germany. The father died in 18-1--"). and the 
mother thirty years later. Our subject was born in Hanover. 
Germany, May 4, 1883, and in 1N45. he married Sophia Newring, 
Avho boi-e him two sons: Frederick and William. In 18(U, they 
started to America, but three days before landing. Mrs. Newring 
died, and was buried in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean Mr. 
Newring came with his children to Indiana and settled on a farm 
in Pike County. In December. 18()5, he mnrried his second 
wife, Louisa Katterjohn, of Dubois County. Their union was 
blessed with seven children— four sons and three daughters: Frank. 
Edward, Emma, Sophia. Charles, Rudolph and Mina (deceased). 
Mr. NeAvring's princijial business throughout life has been farm- 
ing, in Avliich he jias been financially successful. He received a 
limited German education, and what English education he could 
from time to time obtain. He and family are members of the 
German Lutheran Church, and are much res})ected as good and 
accommodating neighbors. 

WILLIAM NIEBRUGGE. farmer of Lockhart Township, 
Pike Co., Ind., was born in Hanover. Germany. September 
18, 1815, and is the son of Fred and Mrs. Niebrugge. Avho were 
natives of Germany, Avhere the father died February 14, ISiH). 
When about thirty years old William crossed the briny ocean and 
came to the United States, landing first in Baltimore, where he 
staid but a short time and then came to Cincinnati, where he 
remained three years, working as a day laborer. About 1849 he 
went to Hanging Rock, Ohio, where he was a teamster for thir- 
teen years, and in the meantime accumulatied considerable mone}-. 
He finally came to Pike County, Ind., and settled on the farm 
where he is at present living. He has been very successful in 
his business enterprises, is now a weJUto-do farmer, and 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 437 

is enjoying the results of his Libor. Elizabeth Cramer of Hang- 
ing Kock, Ohio, became his wife in 1843, and to their union these 
children were born: Caroline, wife of Henry Meyer; Berdina, 
wife of F. H. Poetker: Katy, wife of John Witte, and Francis W., 
married. Mr. Niel)rugge's education is limited, but his children 
have acquired a very good understanding of both English and 
German. Both Mr. and Mrs. Niebrugge belong to the Lutheran 
Church, and his political views are Democratic. 

HENPtY SCHLOTTMANN, a wide-awake Democrat of Lock- 
hart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, January 22, 1822. His parents, John C. and Mary Schlott- 
mann, were natives of the old country, where they lived and died, 
the father in 1829 and the mother in 1865. Henry came to the 
Ignited States in 1845, landing at New Orleans, and came almost 
directl}' to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained about seven years, 
working at almost anything that would bring in the almighty 
dollar. From there he moved to Lawrence County, Ind., and 
Avorked for some time in an iron foundry. He afterward lived 
in Dubois County and finally settled in Pike County, Ind., and 
began farming. April 30, 1846, he married Mary Lippoldt of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, and they became the parents of the following 
children: Lizzie (wife of Fred Wolf), William (deceased), Charlev 
(deceased), John and Anna. On the 15tli of July, 1855, his wife 
passed from among the living, and March 29, 1865, Mary Museler 
of Cincinnati became his second wdfe and bore him seven 
children: Louis, Henry, Caroline (deceased), one infant (de- 
ceased), Louisa (deceased), William and Herman. Mr. Schlott- 
mann and family belong to the Lutheran Church, and in politics 
he is a Democrat and a successful farmer and well-known 
citizen. 

JAKKETT W. STILL WELL, son of Henry and Mary Still- 
well, was born in Dubois County. Ind., June 28, 1856. March 
23, 1861, he inarried Eliza Hunsacher, of Pike County, who 
bore him five children — three sons and two daughters : John W. 
(teacher), Mary E., Christina, James and one deceased. Mr. 
Stillwell is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F. Feb- 
ruary 14, 1865. he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and 
Forty-third Indiana Infantry, and served until the close of the 
war. May 12, 1865, wliile moving a house .at Murfreesboro, 
Tenn., to be used as a cook house for his regiment, the building 
collapsed, and he was quite severely injured, and received bis 
discharge October 17, 1865. Since that time he has been en- 
gaged in farming and stock raising, and is widely known and 
respected by all. Henry Stillwell, father of the above, was born in 
Kentucky, August 12, 1786. At a very early day he moved with 
his parents to Indiana, and when twenty years of age marrieil 



438 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

Sarah Sirrmions, of Kentucky, who bore him six children, three 
still living: Elizabeth, Thomas and Solomon. His wife died in 
1836, and in 1837 he wedded Mary Bolin. To them were boin 
['our children, three still living: Jarrett, Sarah and Charlotte. 
This wife died in 1877, and in 1878, at the age of ninety-two 
years, he married his third wife, Nancy (Tindal) Kinder, of 
Indiana. Mr. Stillwell is a Democrat, and a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. He is the oldest man in Pike County, being now 
ninety-nine years of age, and is yet hale and hearty. His men- 
tal faculties are unimpaired, and his physical ability is wonder- 
ful, though his sight and hearing are somewhat blunted. 

WILLIAM STOKK is the son of John H. and Mary E. 
Stork, who were born in Westphalien, Germany, in 1795 and 
1804, respectively. They came to the United States and landed 
at New Orleans on the 23d of December, 1847, and soon after 
moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father died in 1848. The 
mother's death occurred at Evansville, Ind., in 1861. Our sub- 
ject was born in the old country, on the 8th of January, 1834, 
and came with his parents to America. He remained in Cincin- 
nati until 1857, when he came to Dubois County, Ind., and in 
1860 moved to Pike County, and settled on a farm. October 17, 
1856, Lisetta Tormoehlen, of Cincinnati, became his wife, and to 
their union eleven children were born, nine of whom are living: 
Minnie, Heniy (teacher), Mary (wife of Charles Webber), Sarah, 
Louisa, Janie, Willie, Ella, Lizetta (deceased), Daniel and Liz- 
zie (deceased). Mr. Stork received a fair German education, 
and has acquired a very good knowledge of English by his own 
exertions. He is engaged in the general merchandise trade 
at Stendal, where he is doing an extensive and paying business. 
He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of post- 
master of Stendal since October 1, 1884. 

WILLIAM WERREMEYER, an enterprising farmer of 
Lockhart Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Prussia, on the 
5th of July, 1841. His parents were natives of the same 
province, where the father died in 1882, and where the mother 
still lives, a hale and hearty old lady. William immigrated to 
the United States in 1861, and landed at Baltimore, where he 
remained but a short time, coming soon after to Dubois County, 
Ind., where he worked as a day laborer, and finally settled on a 
farm in Pike County, Ind., and began life as an agriculturist. 
From boyhood Mr. Werremeyer has always been a hard worker, 
consequently his education is somewhat limited. He has always 
voted the Democratic ticket, and is one of Pike County's most 
esteemed and valued citizens. His marriage with Mary Carl, of 
Dubois County, was solemnized in March, 1868, and they were 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 40;) 

blessed with three children: John, Henry and Nora. Mrs Wer 
remeyer IS a worthy lady, and an earnest member of the Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Reformed Church 



MADISON TOWNSHIP. 

... ^n^^/^f ?^ BAEKER was born January 10. 1820, in Du- 
bois County Ind., and is one of five sons and two dauAters of 
Henry and Elizabeth ( Willard) Barker. The father was of En 
ghsh lineage, and was born December 26, 1781, in Virginia X 
remained m his native State until 1810, when he went^to Louis! 
Yille, Ky., and worked as pilot on barges and keels over the falls 
He remained here one year, and then came to Dubois County 
Ind., and entered upward of 400 acres of land near Jasper He 
was soon after ordained as a Baptist minister, and preached for 

enW i'^'l^'^n r?'; 1 ^^"^^ *^^ ^^^li^^ depredations, he 
enlisted under Capt Little, and participated in the battle of Tip! 
pecanoe, he was then guard on the frontier for about three 
months. He died in Dubois County, August 22 1846 The 

n93 'i'thr^.l ^'rr f *r*^""' ^^^ ™ ^-^ October 25 
il f 1 ^^^^ '""^ Kentucky. She is yet living, and has 
reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. Our subfec 
obtained his eduction by attending school three miles S 
from his home. When thirty-three years old, he left the paternal 
roof and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. A Jonel 
of Corydon, Ind ' After about three years' study, he entered into 
partnership with the Doctor, but at the end of one yeai 
they dissolved partnership by mutual consent. He then went 

and then abandoned the practice of medicine, and returned 
to farming. September 2, 1852, he married Minerva Ann WeSe 

arvlf l7qi ^'"-J?.^"^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^i^' ^^e was born Febru 
11} ' i' '"^ ?!^^,, County. They became the parents of nine 
children: Henry D (deceased), Joseph D., James B. B., Stephen 

^h.llT'X^- (^Tr^^' ^^^^^^^^ ^- (^i^^ °^ William H. 
Shawhan), Thomas Jefferson, Mary F. and Minerva Elizabeth 
After marriage, they settled on 120 acres of land near Jasper, but 
later lie sold out and purchased his present property of 656 
acres. About 200 yards from his house'^is an iron^ and sulphur 
mineral spring which flows constantly. Mr. Barker is a Demo- 
crat, and m 1864, was elected to the State Senate from Gibson 
Fike and Dubois Counties for the term of four years, and in 



440 HISTORY OF PISE COUNTY. 

187'Z, he was elected to the State Legislature for Pike County, 
for two years. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Eegular Baptist Church. 

JONATHAN J. BOWMAN was born in Butler County, 
Ohio, October 31, 1817, son of Jacob and Mary (Kepler) Bow- 
man. The father was of German descent, and was born in 1788, 
in Pennsylvania. He was a miller in the early part of his life, 
but in later years lived without doing any active labor. He mar- 
ried in 1809, and two years later moved to Butler County, Ohio, 
where he lived nine years. He lived successively in Preble and 
Logan Counties, and finally moved to Kaskaskia, 111., where 
he resided until his death in September, 1848. The mother was 
bom in Baltimore, Md., in 1788. After the death of her husband, 
she lived with our subject until her death February 16, 1866. 
Our subject left home at the early age of fourteen years, and com-' 
menced to fight the battle of life for himself. He engaged as 
steward on a boat which plied on the Ohio and Mississippi Kivers. 
About four y'ears later while at New Orleans, the Seminole war 
broke out, and Gen. Clark engaged him to take a cargo of mules 
to Tampa Bay. After reaching Florida, he engaged as teamster 
for the army and remained with them four months, and then 
returned to New Orleans and resumed his work on the river. In 
1838, he came to Pike County, and January 4, of the next year, 
he married Elizabeth Miley, daughter of John and Mary Miley. 
THey became the parents of eight children, five ^ of whom are liv- 
ing: Nancy J., James R., Jonathan M., Joseph L. and Laura A. 
Oil account of ill-health, he went to Illinois where he remained 
four years. He then returned to Pike County, and three years 
later purchased eighty acres of land, which he has increased to 
310 acres. His wife died September 30, 1880. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics, and cast his first vote for Martin Yan Buren. In 
1855, he was elected township assessor for four years, and in 
1860, was elected county commissioner for three years, and was 
re-elected for five successive terms. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. He was married to Margaret (Richardson) 
Bates, April 18, 1882, they have one child, born May 25, 1884, 
named Edna G. 

PETER BURKHART was born in North Carolina, January 
26, 1822. His parents, Leonard and Dedida (Smith) Burkhart, 
were of Dutch and English descent respectively. They were born 
in Europe and came to North Carolina when quite young. Here 
they married. They came to Pike County, Ind., about 1835 and 
passed the remainder of their lives. The father died about 1855 
and the mother in 1852. The family came to Indiana when our 
subject was about thirteen years old. The country at that time 
was heavily timbered and was inhabited by many wild animals. 



BUK.KAV 'i('\L s\rTt:HES. 441 

![;- killed a deor the fust y ■ ■. -ind has always had the re|)utatioii 
MJbeinc^ the "Teatest huriier, ; ad of always IcM^pin;^ the largest 
nuiaber and V)est bred lj<-m!<ls of an} luau in the county. He 
killed the last doer seen in th >. 'c'ounty froi-i his house at a dis- 
r,, ,,;•(. .)( 1:V> V. !'1^ It h:-^ 'IPX- l.'-^n six years since h(> raptured 
a large gray wolf about two miles soutli ot his resilience. About 
seven years ago he had a leg broken while following the hounds, 
and since that time has participated but very little in the chase. 
He has succeeded well as a farmer and now owns 2974 acres of 
land having sold ICA) acres of his farm. Elizabeth Snyder be- 
came his wife April 1, 1844. They became the parents of nine 
children, eight of whom are married and living within three 
miles of their father. They all have families but none of their 
children have died. The family history presents remarkable in- 
stances of longevity. He has always been a Democrat in politics 
and has served as townshij) trustee six terms. During his first 
term the township was in debt over !$100, but he soon paid the 
debt, and during war times it had a debt of over $3,000. In two 
years this was paid ofp and the township is in a flourishing condi- 
tion. His last two terms he brought the township out with a 
cash balance of about $1,500. He has been urged by his many 
friends to run for higher offices but he has invariably declined. 
He has been one of the most successful ofiice holders and promi- 
nent pioneer citizens of the countv. 

NOAH BUKKHAET, son of Leonard and Dedida (Smith) 
Burkhart (see sketch of Peter Burkhart for family history), was 
born in North Carolina, February 21, 1833. He was raised in 
Pike County, Ind., having come with his parents to this State 
when only two years of age. He assisted his parents on the farm 
until twenty-two years old, when he married and began tilling the 
soil on his own responsibility. He owns 185 acres of river bot- 
tom land, about 100 acres of Avliich are under cultivation and 
yields about sixty bushels of corn and twenty-five bushels of 
wheat to the acre. August 15. 1854 he was married to Harriet 
Selby, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Selby of Pike County, 
Ind. The father is dead but the mother still lives on the old 
place. Mr. Burkhart and wife are the parents of two children, 
one died in infancy named Isabel and the other Nancy V. is now 
married to Joseph D. Barker. Mr. Burkhart is a Democrat and 
his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

RICHAED GLADISH, one of the old settlers of Pike Coun- 
ty, Ind., was born December 22. 1818, in Pike County. He is a 
son of Jeremiah and Nancy (Lindseyj Gladish. The father was 
born in North Carolina September 1, 1783, and was of English 
descent. He was a farmer by occupation and left his home in 
his youth and settled in Warren County, Ky. He was marrie.l 



-i4:? insTouY of pike county. 

Decpmbor T '. ^ii '. aiul about 1814 he moved to Pike County. lud.. 
\vii'-\ lie onUM.J. '1-0 nores of hind, and remained until his de al). 
Xovt^nibor i'. l^i>^. He Avas among the first white settlers of the 
I'ountv niul lor tln^ tiist few years lived in a block-house to protect 
hiiiiself and tamily from the Indians. Where then were dense 
l'( rests and lo<;-i'abins, now are well cultivated farms and fine 
invellinj^ honses. The mother was of Irish descent and was born 
Jnlv Ifi. 17ss, in Warren County, Ky. Her death occurred June 
i:i. InTo. Our subject was educated in the district schools near 
his home. After his father's death he assumed control of the 
farm, and December 15, 1839. he married Eliza Ann Foster; she 
wiis born March 8, 1819, in Sheffield, England. Mr. Gladish from 
time to time bought out the heirs of the old homestead until he 
became possessor of the entire tract — 220 acres. He has erected 
a fine dwelling house and has good buildings in every respect. 
He is a Eepublican and cast his first vote for William H. Harri- 
son. He was assessor for the county four years and for Madison 
ToAvnship two jears, and Avas toAvnship trustee two terms. He is 
one of the oldest citizens of Pike County. His wife is a member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and they are the parents 
of these children: AVilliam, Nancy Jane (wife of Hosea Alexander), 
Thomas (deceased), Catherine (deceased), Eleanor, Isabel (wife 
of W. S. Hunter), J. Wright, Matthew AY. Foster (deceased) and 
Richard Evert. 

DAVID W. GLADISH was born November 29, 1832, in Pike 
County, Ind. He is a son of James and Ann (Wease) Gladish: 
James Avas of Irish extraction and Avas born in Kentucky in 1809, 
and followed the life of a farmer. He came Avith his parents to 
Indiana when about one year old. His father, our subject's 
grandfather, entered 220 acres of land, where he lived and 
died. James Avas married in 1831, and shortly after pur- 
chased eighty acres of land Avhere he lived nearly five years. He 
then traded this for eighty acres in another part of the toAvn- 
ship. His death occurred September 1-4, 1883. The mother 
was of French descent. She was born in 1813, and died 
February 8, 1881. Our subject made his home with his 
people until he attained his majority. November 17, 1853, 
he married Eliza Basinger, daughter of Michael Basinger. She 
Avas born March 24, 1835, in Perry County, Ind. They became 
the parents of six children: Mary A., wife of Lemuel Stapleton; 
Elizabeth F., wife of John Mumbrum; James, Michael, Alice and 
David. Mrs. Gladish died February 20, 1866. October 29, of 
the next year he married Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Summer, daugh- 
ter of John and Nancy Shoemaker. She was born October 30, 
183-!. They have three children born to them : Ulysses, Edgar 
and Oliver. After his first marriage he purchased about forty 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 443 

acres of land in Madison Township, where he located and has 
since lived. He has increased his farm to 197^ acres on which 
he has erected fine buildings. He is a Mason and a Republican, 
casting his first vote for John C. Fremont. 

CHARLES J. GLADISH son of Lowry and E. C. H. (Alex- 
ander) Gladish was born on a farm in Pike County, Ind., De- 
cember 5, 1855. He received a very fair education in the com- 
mon schools and when about twenty-three years old went to 
Kansas, but remained only three months, when he returned home 
and engaged in farming on land which he purchased from his 
father. He owns eighty acres of very fine land, forty acres of 
it being in the White River bottom, and very fertile. On some 
of his high land he has a pecan orchard, something which is not 
commonly seen in elevated localities. December 4, 1879, he 
took for his life companion, Mary E. daughter of Bartlett and 
Elizabeth (Borders) Catt. They are the parents of two children: 
Montgomery, B. born May 17, 1881, and Richard L. born Decem- 
ber 14, 1883. In politics Mr. Gladish has always been a Demo- 
crat. Mrs. Gladish' s parents were very early settlers of the 
county. The father died when she was quite young, and the 
■wtrtther Januarv 2, 1885 

JOSEPH L. HARRISON was born April 19, 1850, in Pike 
County, Ind. He is one of a family of five sons and three 
daughters of Otho and Mary A. (Evans) Harrison, who were 
natives of Madison County, Ky., and born in 1807 and 1810 re- 
spectively. The father was of German descent and always led 
the life of a farmer. He was married in his native State and 
came to Indiana in 1834 and purchased 220 acres of land in Pike 
County. He lived here for about forty years, and then traded 
for another farm of 116 acres and received $40 per acre for his 
fulditional land. He died in. October, 1876. The mother is yet 
living and is in her seventy-sixth year. Joseph L. received a 
common school education. He made his home with his people 
until he was twenty-five years old. December 1, 1875, he mar- 
ried Lucretia Grubb, daughter of Henry and Jane Grubb, born 
November, 1847, in Pike County. They have one child named 
Lydia. They rented the home "place for five years after their 
jnarriage, but now own eighty acres of good land. He is a firm 
Democrat in politics and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley. 
In 1882 he was elected township assessor for four years, his time 
expiring in the spring of 1885. He lias given the best satis- 
faction as an officer and is much esteemed as a citizen. 

H. D. LAMB was born January 17, 1837, in Pike Coun- 
ty, Ind., and is one of eleven chihlren born to Stanton and 
Elizabeth (Bright) Lamb. The father Avas born in South Caro- 
lina in 1801 and was a tiller of the soil. He left his native State 



444 msTORY OF pike colntv. 

at the !''^-- v;i ten years with an ancle and came to Pike C()unt\ , 
In.l., married and pnrchased 800 acj-es of hind in Washinj,i-. •., 
and Madiso]! To\vnshi[)S. He died Marcli 20, 1S.S4. When a 
boy he (.-arricd the snrveyor'rt chain to hiy out the town of Peter,-,- 
)nr<^, liis unrle, Hosoa Smitli. bein<^ county surveyor at tJiat time. 
The motlier was a native of tS[ningfiekl, 111., and was born about 
ISOo and died about lS5o. Our subject was married Febniary 
2S. IS.IS, to Margaret Mah)tt, dauo-hter of Elijah and Celia Malott, 
sh(^ was born December 8, 184-1, in Pike County. They have five 
living children: Adelia, Oliver Perry, Newton L., Malhman W. 
and Thonnis H. Immediately after marriage Mr. Lanil) located 
on the farm where he now lives. He was a strong Union man 
and accordingly. February 24, 18()-1:, he enlisted in Company E, 
Twent}-fourth Indiana Infantry. His company took part in no 
hard fought l)attles but was in numerous skirmishes. He re- 
mained in the field until hostilities ceased when he was dis- 
charged November 15, 18()0, and returned home to his famih . 
He is a Republican in j)olitics and cast his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln. 

WILLIAM B. MALOTT was born in Pike County, Iml, 
June 8, 1828, and is a son of Elijah and Celia (Kinman) Malott. 
The father was of French extraction and was born April 10, 
171)0, in JefPerson County, Ky. AVhen a young man nineteen or 
tAventy years of age he left his native State and came to Pike 
County, where he married and purchased 200 acres of land, where 
he yet lives. He was one of the first white settlers in tlie county 
and came here when the Indians were very numerous and he and 
family were com[)elled to seek protection in a block-house. The 
mother was of German lineage and was born in Georgia, August 
18,1804-, she died on her birthday in 1872. Subject received a lim- 
ited education owing to the newness of the country and the ab- 
sence of free schools. October 8, 1844, he wedded Cynthia Ann 
Lewis, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Lewis. She was born 
June 2(). 1820, in Gibson County, Ind. They became the par- 
ents of six children: Perry (deceased), Clinton, Elizabeth, wife 
of John McAfee, Rozellar (wife of William Jones), Jackson and 
Grant. Mr. Malott is an energetic and shrewd business man and 
owns 2U5 acres of excellent land, furnished with good buildings. In 
[)olitics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Zachary 
Taylor. In 1844 he Avas nominated and elected township trustee 
but resigned in favor of Reason Malott. His wife is a member 
of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

RICHARD MORGAN is the sixth of eight children bprn 
to Joseph C. and Sarah (Frederick) Morgan. He was born 
August 4, 1830 in the township where he now lives. His father 
was born July 80, 1791 in New Jersey. Here he was raised and 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKKTCHES. 44r> 

followed the occu[)nti()iis of t'anniui;- uiid Mat'ksniitliiuij^. lie 
eame to Indiana after he was grown and lived in I'ike Conntv 
until his death which oceurreil February l!S. IsC)',). The mother 
was born in the very western part of Pik(^ County, February 20. 
1809, and died May 17, INTT. llichard was rais(\l oji a farui and 
had very limited educational advanta<^i^s. \V!ien twenty-one ^•.■':lrs 
old he began farming for himself but made his home with his 
parents until after he Avas thirty years old. His father died 
about this time and he remained ])nt a short time with ids mother. 
September 7. 1^70, Margaret McAtee, daughter of Benjamin and 
Ellen (Decker) McAtee, became his wife. To theif union two 
children were born: Florence, born January '2-1, 1S7-1. died -June 
2, 1884, Arvilla Alice, born October 4, 187(;. Mr. M-rgan's 
wife died September 20, 1S78 and September 7, 1880, Caroline, 
daughter of Peter and Elizal^eth Burkhart became his wife. 
They have one child, Rufus. l)orn June 22, 1881. The Avife was 
born April (), 18411. In politics Mr. Morgan is a Democrat and 
always has been. His father was one of three brothers who came 
to Indiana from New Jersey. All of them are now dead and 
there are but Richard and one sister living of the father's family. 
One of the brothers lived an old bachelor and the other raised a 
large family in Knox County. 

MARCUS L. REED, "an eiiterprising farmer of Madison 
Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in the county were he 
now lives, December 5, 183',). and is one of a family of eight 
children born to Green B. and Virginia (Withers) Reed. The 
father was of German descent and was born in Washington 
County. K}.. June 10. 1810. When only eight years old, he left 
his native State and came with his parents to Indiana, locating 
in Pike (-ounty, and followed farming as an occupation. At the 
time of his marriage, he lived in said county and soon after 
t-nt*-^vd 240 acres in Section 29, Madison Township, Avhere he set- 
tied and remained until his death in February. 18S4. His Avife 
was ol;' (rernian descent ajid was born August N, ISO'.', in Indiaiia 
and died Scptcmliej- 2"). Iss4. Our subject was rearetl at home, 
receiving his education in the district schools, A])ril IN, tSfn. 
Amanda Shatter, born January 1S.")<). daughter of Levi and Cath- 
arine Shaffer. ])ecame his Avife. Tljey liave one child. Ora Vir- 
ginia. After marriage they lived for one year in Warrick C'>unty, 
and then returned to Madison Township, Pike County where i!i«\v 
liaA'e since lived. They own sixtv-tive acres of laTi<I^.LL'J, are I" ug 
Avell. In politics he is a T)eniocrat and OJWt Jus- £.'st voU "^ >r 
Stephen A. Douglas. 

MARCELLi S M. REED is a son of Green anu Virginia 
(Withers) Reed. (See sketcli of Marcus Beed.) He was born 
on the place where Ik; iiow lives September 15, 1848. He was 



446 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

rfti«?;(l oil the farm and received a good education in the cr^nijr.on 
Bcliool. He remained with his father and worked on the home 
farm until lie was thirty-three years old, when he married and 
went to housekeeping in the same house with his father, whose 
death occurred February 23, 1883. Since that time he has owned 
lOo acres of the home farm. He has succeeded well and his farm 
is well improved. October 20, 1882, he was united in marriage 
to Laura, daughter of George W. and Carrie (Miley) Smith. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reed are the parents of two children: Ralph B., 
born July 28, 1883, and Hiram C, born December 18, 1884, and 
died when about three weeks old. Our subject is a zealous Dem- 
ocrat, and was raised as such. The mother's parents were born 
and raised near Petersburg. The father is deceased, but the 
mother is still living on the farm. 

REV. JEFFERSON W. RICHARDSON was born June 24, 
1829, in Warrick County, Ind., and is a son of Edward P. and Eliza 
(Fleener) Richardson. The father was of Irish-English descent 
and was born October 2, 1806. He was the youngest of nineteen 
children. Eight of his brothers took an active part in the battle 
of New Orleans. He farmed on the old homestead until his death, 
in October, 1831. The mother was of Dutch-Irish lineage, born 
September 2, 1800. After her husband's death she married again. 
Her death occurred September 5, 1876. The father died when 
our subject was but two years old. Owing to the disadvantages 
that surrounded him, his education was very limited. He was 
taught to read and write by his first wife, and at the present time 
he is a man of good education and excellent business qualities. 
He has been married four times. His fir.sfc wife was Mary Fer- 
gerson, at whose death there were loi't six children, as fol- 
lows: Edward P., Margaret A., James F., Eliza, Matilda J. and 
William J. He married Missouri Tucker in May, 1865, born 
April 10, 1843, by v/hom he is the father of one child named 
Mary. His wife died in 18()8 and in January, 1869, he married 
Margaret Sprinkle, born in November. 1834. She died in De- 
cember, 1873, leaving a daughter, Cyrena. June 7 of the next 
year he led to Hymen's altar Caroline Gladish, born October 2, 
1853. After Mr. Richardson's first marriage he purchased 160 
acres of land in Monroe Township. In 1859 he laid out the village 
of Pleasantville. He is a Democrat and has held the office of 
justice of the peace eight years, and was a member of the State 
Legislature two years, from 1864 to 1866. In 1870 he was elected 
county clerk and moved to Petersburg. In 1877 he was appointed 
t >asurer to fill an unexpired term, and was re-elected in 1878. 
At the close of the term he returned to his farm, where he has 
remained ever since. Mr. Richardson commenced preaching in 
186)6) and in 1872 was ordained as a Regular Baptist minister, and 
has had charge of three churches ever since that time. 



BIOGKAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 447 

HAEEISON H. SMITH is a son of Oiiias and Mary 
(Wyett) Smith, and was born August 23. 1838. in Pike County, 
Ind! The father was a native of North Carolina, born in 1805. 
In 1810 he came with his parents to Pike County, Ind., and his 
father entered a Lirge tract of land near Petersburg. He was a 
surveyor by occupation and Avorked at that business in North Car- 
olina and also after coming to Indiana. He laid out the town of 
Petersburg and also surveyed numerous tracts throughout Pike 
and the adjoining counties. Our subject's father, Onias, married 
in Pike County, and afterward bought property near Petersburg, 
where he located and reanained as a tiller of the soil until his 
death, which occurred in September, 1800. The mother was 
born in Kentu-ky and came to Indiana with her parents when a 
small child. She is yet living and is over seventy-five years of 
age. Harrison H. made his home with his parents until he was 
twenty-six years old. September, 1804, he married Nancy Jane 
Bowman, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Bowman. She 
was born November 14, 1845, in Illinois. They have four chil- 
dren living, named Eollin P., Cordelia, Onias and Emmet. Mr. 
Smith farmed on a rented place for over a year and then bought 
lifty-nine acres near Petersburg, where he lived for about four 
years and then sold out and purchased 100 acres in Madison 
Township. He has added ninety-three acres to this, and has one 
of the best farms in Pike County. He is a Democrat in politics, 
;nid cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas. 

JOHN G. SNIDEK, a native of North Carolina, was born 
Ai.ril 20, 1822. He is a son of Adam and Christina Snider, who 
were the parents of seven children, our subject being the fifth. 
The parents were natives of the same State as our subject and 
were of German descent. In 1831 they moved to Pike County, 
Ind.. and located on a farm in Madison Township, where they 
both died, the father in isTt). and the mother in IS'U. The 
father was a farmer and blacksmitli. John G. was raised on 
a farm in his native State and aft-er his nar.^nts" removal to this 
State he still remained with them. When about thirty years old 
lie began working for himself at the blacksmith's trade, continu- 
ing in that business about eight years, and then began farming. 
He owns fifty-one acres of very rich, river bottom land. It is 
nearly all under cultivation and yields from sixty to seventy-five 
bushels of corn, twenty-five to thirty l)usliels of wheat, and forty 
to fifty bushels of oats to the acre. Although his land is some- 
times inundated and his crops lost, yet one year of good fortune 
compensates for his losses. Mr. Snider has never married, and 
for the last thirtv years has been keeping house for himself. 
He has been a Whig nnd EepubUcan all his life and has served 
one term as coroner i^i the countv. 



448 HISTORY OF I'lKE CoUMV. 



August 25, 1818, and is said to have been the first chihl boiii on 
the site of that town. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth 
(Simonton) Stewart. The father Avas previously married to 
Ilachel Wright, by whom he is the father of one chikl, now liv- 
ing in Kansas. Thomas was born in Virginia, and raised in 
Warren County, Ky. When a young man he was a volunteer in 
the war of 1812, and was sent into Pike Count}', Ind., and liking 
the country he resolved to locate there, which he di<l some time 
after marrying his first wife. They came on ])ack horses, and 
settled on a farm in the above named county. The father filled 
a number of different offices, and was a member of the State Leg- 
islature about nine terms. He died Novemlier (>, 1850. The 
mother was born in North Carolina, but was raised in Ohio. 
She came to Indiana, when quite young. Her death occurreil 
December 24, 1848. Our subject was raised on the old home- 
stead, and now owns part of the old place. His education 
is somewhat limited, but he was aided very much in his studies 
by Maj. John Mclntyre. About 188() he began flat-boating, 
and went to New Orleans every winter. June 5, 1845, he 
married Hemmer Ann Catt, and they became the parents of 
eight children, two dying in infancy. Six sons were raised 
to manhood, but only five are now living: Lawrence W. 
(deceased), Alexander L., John T., Stephen A. D., Robert M. 
and Clarence P. Mr. Stewart is a Democrat. His eldest son. 
Lawrence, now deceased, was a cripple from childhood. He ac- 
quired a good education, and graduated from the State Nornnal. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 187(3-77, and Avas county 
superintendent of schools of Pike County two terms, his death 
occurring while in office. The other sons are farmers, and are 
doing well, financially. The two youngest are yet at home. 

JOHN L. SUMNER was born in Perry County, Ind., No- 
vember 2(), 1801. He is a son of Lewis A. and Elizabeth (Shoe- 
maker) Sumner, who were the parents of two children, our sub- 
ject being the younger. The other son, Millard P., now lives 
near John L. The parents were natives of Perry County, and 
lived there some time after their marriage. They then moved 
to Kansas, where they remained about two years, and then came 
back to their old home. The father enlisted in the army in 
1861, and died while in the service. He was a farmer, and 
in ordinary circumstances, financially. Our subject was raised 
with his mother, who married D. W. Gladish, and moved to Pike 
County, Ind., where she still lives. When about twenty -one 
years old John L. left home, and began working for himself. He 
purchased seventy-five acres where be now lives, and has about 
half of it under good cultivation. H© has a fine frame residence. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 449 

and is doing well, from a financial stand-point. February 18, 
1883, he married Alice E. Wheeler, daughter of William A. and 
Mary Wheeler, of Perry County, Ind. In politics John L. is a 
Eepublican, and was raised as such. 



MARION TOWNSHIP. 



PERRY C. ABBOT, an enterprising farmer of Marion Town- 
ship, Pike Co., Ind., is a son of Lenhart and Hannah Abbot. 
Lenhart was born in Clark County, Ind., in 1815, and his wife in 
Muhlenburgh County, Ky., in 1817. They were married in Pike 
County, and their union was blessed with nine children, six of 
whom are yet living. The parents are yet Hving in Pike County, 
and are in comparative good health for old people. The subject 
of our sketch was born July 25, 1851, in Pike County, and 
remained with his parents until twenty years old, when he began 
working for himself, January 11, 18?4, he married Lucinda C. 
Tolten, a native of the same county as himself, and they became 
the parents of five children — two sons and three daughters: 
Cyrus, McDonald, Cora, Lillie and Cordelia. Mr. Abbot has a 
thorough knowledge of the common school branches, and is well- 
versed in the studies of algebra, Latin, rhetoric and natural phil- 
osophy. He has been a teacher in the public schools of Iowa and 
Indiana for sixteen years. He is a Democrat and notary public. 
Besides the occupation of teaching school, he is engaged in farm- 
ing in which he has succeeded fairly. 

WILLIAM T. ANDERSON was born in Dubois County, 
Ind., December 13, 1833, and is a son of Andrew and Mary 
Anderson, who were natives of Mercer County, Ky. The mother 
died in 1844, and the father took for his second wife Obedience 
Williams, of Kentucky. They are among the old pioneer settlers 
of Indiana, who came here in 1816. He married in Indiana, and 
settled on a farm in Dubois County, where both parents died. 
Our subject remained with his parents until he attained the age 
of eighteen years, when he began working for himself. January 
10, 1856, he took for his life companion, Nancy Jones, of Laurel 
County, Ky., and they became the parents of nine children: 
Sebastian, Mary Josephine (deceased), Ella (deceased), Clora, 
(wife of Zeno Hobbs), Andrew and Amanda (twins). May, William 
Beecher and Eva. Mr. Anderson and family are earnest workers 
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and aid by their influ- 



450 fllSTORV OF riKE COUNTY. 

eiice and mcmey, all enterprises for the public good. Mr. Aiuk-r- 
sou is a Republican, and was county commissioner of Pike ^ \)un- 
ty for three years. He is a successful farmer, and a worthy :.nd 
useful citizen. 

DR. LeROY BROADWELL is the son of Henry and Eliza- 
beth Lroadwell. 'J'he mother was born in Yirginia, and the 
father in North Carolina in 17^)"2. He served in the Avar of 1812, 
and was one of the old pioneer settlers of Indiana, coming here 
•it a very early day ; he endured many of the hardships incident 
to pioneer life. His death occurred in his native State in IsTO. 
The subject of our sketch was born in Warrick County, Iiid., 
July 21, 1834. He remained with his parents until eighteen 
years old, when he left home and traveled in Minnesota, Iowa and 
the AVestern Territories, and finally returned to Indiana. July 
1, 18G1, he enlisted in the war as a volunteer soldier in Com- 
pany A, First Indiana Cavalry, and was in the severe conflicts of 
Fredericktown, Mo. and Helena and Little Rock, Ark. In October, 
1861, he was taken prisoner and remained such for one year, when 
he was exchanged. He immediately entered the service again, 
and soon rose to the rank of captain. He returned home in 1804, 
and three years later, on the 4th of April, was married to Eliza- 
beth B. Burton, of Gibson County, Ind. They became the parents 
of seven children — one son and six daughters: Alfaretta, Lucinda 
Estella, Henry Burton, Emily Kate, Clara Ellen, Nancy Bell and 
Maggie David, Dr. Broadwell received his medical education in 
the university at Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1882, he abandoned the 
practice of medicine on account of ill-health, and engaged iii 
farming. In politics he is a farmer, and a respected and promi- 
nent citizen of Marion Township. 

THOMAS J. J. COOKE is the son of Thomas H. and Mary 
Cooke. The father was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 
1775, and the mother in Fayette County, Ky., in 1777. They 
were married in Lexington, Ky., and to their union six children 
were born, only three of whom are living. The mother died in 
1828, and two years after her death the father remarried, his sec- 
ond wife being Priscilla Pierson, of Kentucky. They have four 
living children. The father departed this life in 1845. Our sub- 
ject was born August 17, 1826, in Fayette County, Ky., and June 
18, 1850, Mary J. Deuberry became his wife. Her death occurred 
March 23, 1870, and five years later he married Jane M, Eaton, 
of Pike County. To them were born three children: Edward E., 
(deceased), Thomas H. and Cecelia E. Mr. Cooke's political 
views are Republican. He was a soldier in the late war, and was 
in Company H. Eightieth Indiana Infantry, and in an engage- 
ment was wounded by a musket ball. He received his discharge 
March 21, 1865, and since that tirpe "-.-"been a successful farmer. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 451 

JAMES M. DEARING is a son of John and Polly Dearing, 
who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. They 
were married in the mother's native State, and followed farming 
as an occupation. The father's death occurred in 1863 and the 
mother's in 1823. Our subject was born April 6, 1818, in Wash- 
ington County, Ky., and came to Indiana and settled on a farm in 
Marion Township, Pike County, and began his career as a tiller 
of the soil. In 1842, Elizabeth Jane Thomas, a native of Vir- 
ginia, became his life companion and the mother of eight chil- 
dren — four sons and four daughters: Isaiah, Mary (deceased), 
James (deceased), Maria, Robert (deceased), Margaret, Louisa 
and John. Mr. Bearing's education is very limited, but all the 
family can read and write. They are members of the Methodist 
Church, and his political views are Republican. He is a success- 
ful farmer and one of the old pioneer settlers, and a prominent 
and res]>ected citizen of his township. 

ELIJAH E. RICHARDSON is the son of John and Mary 
Richardson, who were natives of Kentucky, born in 1809 and 
1812, respectively. In 1837 they removed to Illinois, remaining 
one year, and then settled on a farm near Petersburg, where his 
wife died in 1844. Three years later he visited Kentucky with 
his four children, and while there married Lucinda B. HoUon, 
his present wife. They became the parents of seven children. 
Soon after his second marriage he returned to Petersburg and 
sold his farm and then lived in Kentucky, three years after which 
he again lived in Pike County, Ind. At the present time they 
are living in Huntingburgh. Our subject was born March 11, 
1836, and on the 19th of November, 1860, he married Mary 
Clyde, who bore him one son, John T. In 1862 she died, and 
five years later he married Elizabeth Rodarmel. They are the 
parents of four sons and one daughter: Ida A., William L., Joseph 
E., Elvis O. (deceased) and Nathan A. In 1862 he enlisted in 
Company H, Eightieth Indiana Infantry. He was in many severe 
conflicts and was twice severely wounded and had to be sent to 
the hospital, where he was exposed to the small-pox. He was 
then sent to Quincy, III, and confined in the pest house for six 
weeks. His right eye was injured by the disease, but he again 
returned to the service, and was captured in 1863 by Morgan's 
men and remained a parole prisoner until the following May, 
when he was exchanged and returned to the service. He received 
his discharge in April, 1865. Since that time he has been a 
farmer. He and family belong to the Baptist Church, and he is 
a member of the G. A. R, and a National in politics. 

JAMES RISLEY is a son of John and Margaret Risley. 
The father was a native of New Jersey and the mother of Vir- 
ginia. They were married in the mother's native couutry, and 



452 IIISTOUY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

their ujiicoi resulted in nine children. They moved from Virginia 
to Kentucky and finally came to Pike County, Ind., where the 
father and mother died. James Kisley was born at Petersburg, 
Pike Co., Ind., June 7, 1811; at that time, however, there 
was no town on the present site of Petersburg. At the age of 
nineteen years he married Martha Miller, of Ohio, September 7, 
1831, and their union was blessed with eight children: Maria, 
Hannah, Eunice, Margareth, Polly, Lafayette, Martha (wife of 
Phillip D. Allburn) and Eliza; all are dead except Martha. Mr. 
Risiey has a limited English education and he and wife belong 
to the General Baptist Church. In politics he is a liberal voter 
and has served as township trustee for one year. Hq and wife 
have been married fifty-four years, and are now enjoying the 
fruits of their early labor and the esteem and respect of all who 
know them. The little town of Velpen is built on a farm once 
owned by James Eisley. 

WILLIAM KISLEY, son of John and Margaret Risley (see 
sketch of James Risley), was born July 13, 1811, in Pike County, 
Ind., and was raised on a farm. November 5, 1810, he married 
Mary McCarty, of Daviess County, Ind., and they became the par- 
ents of seven children: Jackson; Harrison, killed in the army: 
Perry; Hattie, deceased; Amanda, wife of William Dillon; One 
died in infancy, and Hulda, deceased. December 1, 1852, his 
wife was called from among the living, and, in 1851, he married 
Martha Corn, who died one year after marriage, leaving one 
child, Franklin. April 23, 1803, he took for his third wife 
Nancy Bolin, of Dubois County, Their union Avas blessed with 
twelve children: Major, Louisa (deceased), Eli, Abraham Lincoln, 
Lear, Frederick, Clara, Ricka, Walter, Delpha, Posey and one 
unnamed who di^d in infancy. Mr. Risley's education is some- 
what limited; he is a Republicaji in politics, a successful farmer 
and respected and prominent citizen of Marion Township. 

JACKSON RISLEY is tlie son of William and Mary Risley, 
natives of Indiana. The father was born in 1814 and the mother 
in 1824. They were married in Daviess County, the mother's 
birthplace, and finally settled in Pike County and began tilling 
the soil. The father still lives, but the mother died December 14, 
1852. Jackson, our subject, Avas born October 19, 1841, in Pike 
County. AVhen twenty years old he enlisted in the civil Avar and 
served in Company G, Forty-second Indiana Infantry. He served 
from September 21, 18r)l, till in August, 1865, and fought in the 
battles of Perry ville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Buzzard'.- Roost, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Avhere he was wcraHKded 
in the foot by a musket ball, and also at Atlanta, B©iii<ii#ille 
and Black River, N. C. January 11, 1866, 1^ married 
Tabitha Ann Wallace, of Daviess County, Ind,, \%itf(L M»ey became 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 453 

the parents of these children: William R Mary Etta, Melissa 
May, Dora Ann (deceased), Amy Blanche, Fannie Orta, Grace 
Gertrude (deceased), Leroy Harrison, Laura Ella. Mr. Kisley 
and family are members of the Methodist Church and he is a 
Republican and a successful farmer of Marion Township. 

JONAS ROBINSON is the eldest son in a family of nine 
children, four of whom are living at the present time. The 
father, Stephen Robinson, was born in New York City in 1804, 
and died in Pike County, Ind., in 1848. His wife, Elizabeth 
Robinson, was born May 1, 1805, in east Tennessee. They were 
married in Perry County, Ind., and afterward settled in Pike 
County, where the mother died in 1875. The subject of our 
sketch was born in Perry County, August 4, 1828. After his 
father's death he remained with his mother until he was twenty- 
four years of age and assisted her in every way that he could. 
November 23, 1853, he married Rebecca J. Dickson, of Dubois, 
County, and they became the parents of five children: Martha E., 
Marcus E., Mary E., Marion E. and Nancy I. At the breaking out 
of the civil war he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-eighth Indiana In- 
fantry. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickar 
maiiga. Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge; he was appointed 
sergeant and served in that capacity until the close of the war ; 
he and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and he is a Republican. In 1872 he began dealing in 
leaf tobacco; he has a good farm which contains coal and silver 
in considerable quantities. His wife was called from among the 
living July 15, 1885. 

SASSER SULLIVAN is the son of Josiah and Patience Sul- 
livan, who were natives of North Carolina, where the father was 
born in 1798 and the mother in 1805, They came to Indiana in 
1852 and located on a farm in Pike County where the father died 
in 1881. Our subject was born in North Carolina January 29, 
1828. When eighteen years old he enlisted in Company K., 
Third Kentucky Regiment, of the Mexican war, and served until 
its close. In September, 1848, he married Abigail Brock, of 
Ken+ucky, and to them seven children were born: John V. 
(deceased), William H., George W., Mary Patience, Jesse J., and 
two who died in infancy. Mrs. Sullivan died December 26, 1864, 
and two years later he married Laura B. Richardson, who bore 
him seven children: Sarah E., Etta (deceased), Armilda J., 
Wade R., Abigail, Richard R., and Ethan Allen. At the break- 
ing out of the war Mr. Sullivan enlisted in Company G, Fifty- 
eighth Indiana Volunteers. In about a year he was promoted to 
the position of lieutenant, but he resigned his office, returned 
home and organized Company H of the Eightieth Regiment. 
He fought in many of the most bloody conflicts on record : Pitts- 



454 HISTORY OF riKE COUNTY. 

burg LauJiiig, Perry ville and the entire Georgia campaign and 
many others. He at different times held the offices of captain 
and sergeant; he is a Democrat, and his family belong to the 
Baptist Church; he has served twice as real estate appraiser of 
Pike County, several times as township assessor and three years 
as township trustee. 

JAMES SIIEVANT, a well to do farmer of Marion Town- 
ship, is a son of William and Jane Survant. The parents were 
natives of Kentucky, where they lived and died. They were the 
parents of eight children, four of whom are living. William was 
a successful farmer and stock raiser. James was born in the 
birthplace of his parents April 13, 1827, and on the 18th of Sep- 
tember, 1851, Catharine J. Pipes, a native of the "Blue Grass" 
State, became his wife. They became the parents of eleven chil- 
di-en — seven sons and four daughters: William W., James A. 
Joseph H. Levi J., Richard B. (deceased), Mary J., wife of 
Brace Bruner, George T., Martha E. (wife of John Nelson), Sallie 
C, Caleb A. and Hettie L. On the 20th of October, 1883, Mrs. 
Survant died very suddenly. She appeared as well as usual when 
arising, and attended to her household duties, when without a 
word of warning, she suddenly fell dead. The cause of her sudden 
death was heart disease. Mr. Survant is a Democrat and an old 
settler and successful farmer of Marion Township. He and 
family belong to the General Baptist Church. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



GEORGE M. ABBET, merchant at Otwell, Ind., is a native 
of Jefferson Township, where he was born, November 26, 1838. 
He is the fourth of eleven children born to the marriage of Ed- 
win Abbet and Susan Adams. The former was a native of South 
Carolina, and came to this State and county in company with his 
parents when quite young. They made their first settlement in 
Jefferson Township, where they and the most of their descend- 
ants have always remained residents. Our subject's father is 
still living, but owing to an illness that occurred in 1883, his 
mind has become enfeebled. George was reared on a farm and 
remained at home with, and assisted his parents until he was 
twenty-five years old, when he married Sarah Perkins, November 
30, 1863. Mr. Abbet's occupation up to May, 1884, was farming, 
but since that time he has been engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, but still continues to cultivate his farm of 118 acres. In 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 455 

his business he carries a stock worth about $1,500, and "has a 
good and paying trade. His political views are Democratic. 

JOHN F. CLAEK is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, 
where he was born December 23, 1822. He is a son of Zacha- 
riah and Edith ( McNichols) Clark, who were natives of Mary- 
land and Virginia, respectively. Our subject was reared in Bel- 
mont, Muskingum and Guernsey Counties. His mother died 
when he was four years old, and his father when he was ten years 
old. He then lived for some time with a cousin, and afterward 
made his home with his elder brothers. Owing to tlie backward 
state of school systems at that time, his education is someAvhat 
limited. November 20, 1849, his marriage with Margaret Gard- 
ner was solemnized, and to th«ir union twelve children were born, 
of whom these are now living: Isaac W., Henry H., Selvinus R., 
Mary, Newton W. and Alice (twins), Ellen, Elizabeth E, and 
John N. Mr. Clark enlisted in the Home Guards for five years, 
and May 2, 1864, at the urgent call of his country, he went to 
the front, and served for four and a half months. His occupa- 
tion has always been farming, in which he has been quite 
successful. He owns 105 acres of well improved land. He and 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
politics he is a Prohibitionist, believing in a total abolishment of 
the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors of every de- 
scription. 

WILLIAM COX was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Sep- 
tember 14, 1816, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth 
(Cooper) Cox, who were natives of Maryland. From there they 
moved to Kentucky, then to Ohio, and finally to Indiana, about 
1820. The father- was a farmer by occupation, and was in very 
good circumstances. William's educational advantages were 
quite limited. He remained at home until twenty years old, 
when he began working for himself, and at one time owned a 
farm of 840 acres, but by presenting his children with land at 
different times, he now owns only 335 acres. December 22, 1836, 
Anna Fisher became his wife, and bore him ten children, these 
now living : Jane, wife of W. Lindsey ; Elizabeth, wife of Henry 
Aust ; Matilda, wife of Albert Ashby ; Alfred ; Rebecca Anne, wife 
of Jesse W. ; Thomas and William. Mr. Cox has always been a 
Democrat in politics, and served as justice of the peace in Dubois 
County, for five years. 

MOSES L. CHAPPELL is the seventh in a family of ten 
children born to Jacob and Rachel (Lane) Chappell. He was 
born near Petersburg, Pike Co., Ind., April 24, 1822. His par- 
ents were from the eastern part of North Carolina, and came to 
Indiana about 1815, during the early settlement of the State. 
The father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, and died 



456 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

April 25, 1846. The mother died in 1875, at the ripe old age of 
ninety years. Our subject was raised on a farm, and had very 
limited educational advantages, but since becoming grown he has 
edvicated himself by self exertion. At the age of nineteen years 
he began farming for himself on rented places, and about four 
years later he married Nancy D. Freelend, of Daviess County. 
They became the parents of ten children: Elvira D., Adaline O., 
Eachel E., Mary A., Milton S., Demphard, Moses E., Martha A., 
James F. and George W. At the breaking out of the war he en- 
listed as a recruit in Company I, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers 
September 12, 1862, and served until June 13, 1865, when he 
was discharged. He was at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, 
and took part in many skirmishes. On coming home from the 
war he began farming on some land his wife had purchased while 
he was in the army. He has been quite successful, and now 
owns 125 acres of very j&ne land. Mr. Chappell and wife are 
members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he has been 
a zealous Republican, and has been since the organization of that 
party ; previous to that time, a Whig. Five of his children are 
in Nebraska, two are married and living near home, and three 
yet reside under the paternal roof. 

CAPT. WILLIAM E. CHAPPELL was born in Pike County, 
Ind., September 22, 1834. Stephen and Hannah (Miller) Chap- 
pell were the parents of seven children, our subject being the eldest 
in the family. The father was of Scotch descent, and was born at 
Petersburg in a block-house used as a fort against Indian attacks. 
At the time of his birth his father was absent participating in the 
battle of Tippecanoe. April 22, 1873, the father passed from 
among the living. The mother is yet living near Algiers. She is 
Dutch descent, and was born in Pennsylvania. William passed 
the life of the average farmer boy, and received but little school- 
ing. On attaining his majority he married and began farming. 
He has been quite successful in that business, and now owns 901 
acres of good land. He was married, March 6, 1856, to Eliza- 
beth Case, and they became the parents of nine children. Mr. 
Chappell is a Mason and a member of the I, O. O. F., and I. O. 
of R. M. In the last named order he holds the office of Great 
Prophet in the State Great Council. October 13, 1861, he en- 
listed in Company I, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers as first 
lieutenant, and was soon promoted to the rank of captain. He 
was at Stone River, Chickamauga, and in Sherman's march to 
the sea. He is a National in politics, and is one of the prom- 
inent men of Pike County. 

DAVID DEMOTTE was born in Pike County, Ind., Febru- 
ary 13, 1832, and is the next youngest in a family of six children 
born to Lawrence and Phoebe (Banty) Demotte, who were natives 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 457 

of Kentucky, and came to this State and county atout 1825, and 
made theii- first settlement about a mile south of our subject's 
present place of abode. The mother died when David was quite 
young. After a time the father's mind became enfeebled, and 
he was a source of great care to David and a younger brother, 
wJio had remained at home. Owing mainly to this our subject 
received a limited education. October 19, 185U, his marriage 
with Sarah Green was solemnized, and to their union six children 
have been born, of which these five are now living: Martha, 
Jolin (M'ho married Nancy Stillwell). Charlotte. Elizabeth and 
Sallie. By occupation Mr. Demotte has always been a farmer, 
and has been quite successful. He owus 248 acres of well im- 
proved land. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and in politics he has always been a Republican, and en- 
jo}'s the respect and esteem of all who know him. 

' McCRELLIS GRAY, a prominent citizen of Otwell, Ind.,was 
born November 13, 1828, and is the tenth in a family of twelve 
children born to AVilliam and Keziah (Ball) Gray, who were na- 
tives of Virginia and came to this State and county in 18 IL 
They first settled in what is now Washington Township, from 
whence they removed to the place where our subject was born. 
The father served with Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. 
McCrellis assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the 
age of twenty-seven years. In August, 1854, his marriage with 
Emily Tray lor was solemnized, and to their union three children 
were born, only one of whom is now living, Oliver H. In Decem- 
ber, 1861, Mr. Gray's wife died, and fifteen years later he was mar- 
ried to Lucy M. Montgomery. They have three children : Edmund, 
Lelia and Maggie B. Mr. Gray has boen twice engaged in the 
mercantile business and now superintends his farm. He has 
been very successful and is the owner of 1,100 acres of land. He 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a Democrat in politics. 
He has been thrice elected to the office of county treasurer and 
served almost one full terra in the same position by appointment. 
His re-election to the same office may be taken as an indication of 
the honesty and efficiency with which he filled that position. 

RICHARD W. HARRIS, M. D., a prominent physician of Pike 
County, Ind., was born in Spencer County, Ind., October 28, 1850. 
His parents, William G. and Isabel (McKune) Harris, are natives, 
respectively, of Alexandria, Ya., and Nelson County, Ky. When 
quite a small lad, William went to Philadelphia, where he was 
apprenticed to a cabinet-maker. He pursued his trade in Ken- 
tucky for soipe time, when he married and came with his wife to 
Spencer County. Ind., about 1843. Here they lived until 1865, 
when they moved to Huntingburgh, Ind., and have since made 
their home there, with the exception of a few years. The Doctor 



4.38 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

was raif^-"'.! i»ii a farm and received a limited education. When 
twf^nty-one years old lie began teaching, going to school and 
reading medicine, and in the winter of 1875-7(5 he attended tlie 
Kentucky Medical College and graduated from that institution in 
1877. He then located in Algiers, where he has since been suc- 
cessfully practicing his profession. He has been very successful 
and is said to have the largest practice of any physician in the 
county. June 8, 1870, he married Louella A. Lett, daughter of 
Isaac and Mary (Tray lor) Lett. They became the parents of 
four chihlron, three now living: Maude M., John W., Audie (de- 
ceased ) and Saliie. The Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and I. D. E. M. He is a leading Democrat of the county and has 
been honored with the office of township trustee, elected in 1884. 
His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

WILLIAM H. KELSO was born February 2*>, 1831, in Knox- 
ville, Dubois Co., Ind. His parents, Andrew F. and Susan- 
nah E. (Hargrave) Kelso, were the parents of fourteen children, 
of whom our subject was the eldest. They were natives of South 
and North Carolina, and of Scotch and English descent, respect- 
ively. The father came to Indiana in 1817 and the mother a 
year later. Andrew always followed the life of a farmer; his 
death occurred July 12, 1872. The mother still lives in Ireland, 
Dubois Co., Ind. Our subject was raised on a farm and his edu- 
cational advantages were quite limited. He remained at home 
assisting his pareiits on the farm until he attained his majority, 
when he purchased land in Dubois County and farmed there for 
sixteen years. He then sold out and bought the farm where he now 
lives. He has been very successful in his vocation and now owns 
215 acres of very good land. He was married November 18, 
1852, to Nancy A. Chappell, to whom four children were born: 
Leila (deceased wife of James Chew), Jemimah A. (Capehart), 
Andrew H. and Susannah. Mr. Kelso and wafe and the three 
eldest children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, he having been one of its elders for twenty-nine years. 
He is an enthusiastic Kepublican and always has been since the 
organization of that party. Befofe that time he was a Whig. 
His wife's parents were Josiah and Jemimah (Grayson) Chap- 
pell, who were natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, and came to Indiana at a very early period. The wife was 
born April 13, 1833, and was the third in a family of five 
children. 

JOHN A. LETT, father of Isaac Lett, was born in Kentucky, 
September 11, 1809. His parents were RandalJ and Sarah 
(Tyndall) Lett, who were natives of Georgia and came to Ken- 
tucky and lived there till John A. was four years old, when they 
came to Pike Comity, Ind. When twenty-two years old our sub- 



BiOGKAriiicAL .- :{: -^viiLs. 469 

ject mnrried Mary Thomas, October 20, 1831. He began life 
for himself with little or nothing, but has owned 260 acres of the 
very best land. He and wife are tlie parents of ten children, 
eight now living. His wife died September 15. ISlH), and Sep- 
tember 19. 18()7, he next married Elizabeth Randersou, who died 
of cancer February 8. 1885, leaving tAvo chikhen. He is a Re- 
publican and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
has in his possession a compass, a powder liorii, and a flint and 
steel which his grandfather carried in the Revolutionary war. 

LEWIS E. LETT was born in Pike County. Ind., July 22, 
1833. He is a son of John A. and Mary (Thomas) Lett and was 
raised on a farm. He received his education in the old log 
schoolhouse of those times. When nineteen years old he went 
to Oregon where he remained about eight years, when he returned 
to the Hoosier State and has been a successful farmer ever since. 
He owns 185 acres of very good land, well improved. June 13, 1861, 
he married Angeline Anderson, They are the parents of eight 
living children: Izetta, Oswald A., Ariel, Zelia, Orris E., Myrtie, 
Elmer O. and Auta. Mr. Lett is a Democrat and a Mason. In 
February, 18(^5, he enlisted in Company K., One Hundred and 
Fifty-second Indiana Volunteers, and was out till September, when 
the regiment was discharged. The first Lett came to the United 
States very early. He was very poor and his passage was paid by 
a man in North Carolina for whom he worked some time in pay- 
ment. This was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. The 
great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier and served seven 
years in that war. The grandfather came to Indiana in 1814 and 
five of his chikb-en are yet living, John A., the father of our 
s.nbject, being one of them. 

ISAAC R. LETT was born in Pike County, Ind., September 
15, 1835. He is a son of John A. and Mary (Thomas) Lett. 
He was reared on a farm and received a limited education. When 
twenty-one years old he married and began farming on the place 
where he now lives. He commenced life a poor boy but now owns 
200 acres of very fine land, and is one of the leading farmers of 
the county. He was married, October 15, 1856, to Mary Jane 
Traylor, and they became the parents of seven children, six now 
living: Louella (wife of Dr. R. W. Harris), Emma T. (wife of 
Stephen R. Chappell), Eflfie (wife of Erastus Thomas), Orlan W^., 
Martha M. and Sarah E. Mrs. Lett died March 13, 1875, and 
April 23, 1876, he married Eliza Smith. He is a Mason and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically a Dem- 
ocrat and always has been, but A^ery liberal in his views. 

JAMES McLaughlin is a native of Madison County, 
Ohio, where he was born April 7, 1820. He is the next eldest 
of five children born to Robert and Barbara McLaughlin ; the 



460 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

former was of Scotch and the latter of German extraction. James 
was reared in his native and Fayette Counties. His father dlod 
when he was })ut nine years of age and his mother remarried, and 
in the year ISiJo removed to Floyd County, this State, where our 
subject lived until the year 1841), when he came to Pike County, 
and purchased forty acres of land about one mile east of his 
present place of residence. September 11, 1849, he was married 
to Lucinda Anderson, and to them were born nine children, seven 
of whom are living: George M., John A., Mary J., Lana A., 
Evart, Barbara F. and Arra G. Mr. McLaughlin has always 
followed the occupation of farming. He owns 150 acres of well- 
improved land and is very comfortably situated. He and wife 
are worthy members of the Cumberland Presb}terian Church, 
and he is a Democrat. 

WILLIAM SMITH may be mentioned among the prominent 
citizens of Jefferson Township. He was born in Guernsey Coun- 
ty, Ohio, June 15, 1817, and is the eldest of thirteen children of 
Daniel and Elizabeth (Harris) Smith, who came from Virginia, 
and were of Scotch and German extraction. William was raised 
to nearly manhood's estate in Guernsey and Knox Counties, Ohio, 
and received a limited education owing to the poor facilities of 
that day. He worked as a farm laborer for about fifteen months, 
and with the money he had saved during that time he entered a 
tract of 120 acres of land in Vinton County, Ohio. Immediately 
after his marriage with Emma Randall, November 18, 1841, he 
removed to his farm. They became the parents of four children, 
two now living: Isaac and Emma. Mrs. Smith died March 8, 
1846, and August 18, of the same year, he wedded Lydia 
Mashur. They had ten children, only seven now living: George 
H., Nancy, James, Ellen, John, Mary and Clinton. In the year 
1870 he came to Indiana and purchased the farm where he now 
lives. He has been very successful and owns 160 acres of well- 
improved land. He and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, he having been a member for over forty years. 
He is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the 
political affairs of the county and has held numerous township 
offices. 

JESSE ^Y. THOMAS was born in Washington Township, 
Pike Co., Ind., Januar)^ 1, 1852, and is a son of Isaac T. and 
Susan ( Chew) Thomas, who were the parents of six children. 
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came from Ken- 
tucky to this State, when very young. He located in Pike Coun- 
ty, where he became a prominent citizen. His death occurred 
August 20, 1884. The mother is still living near Petersburg. 
Our subject was raised on a farm and received a common school 
education. When twenty -three years old he began farming for 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



46i 



himself and lias l^een very successful in that business, owning 
290 acres of good land. December 20, 1875, Kebecca Anne Cox. 
became his wife. Four children were born to them: Mattie M. 
Otis L., Susannah and one who died in infancy. Mr. Thomae 
has always been a Democrat in politics. He takes great, interes' 
in political affairs and is a prominent young farmer of tht 
county. 



LOGAN TOWNSHIP. 



ANDKEW ATKINSON, a prominent old citizen of Logai 
Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Rowan County, N. C. 
August 20, 1817, and is the oldest of ten children born t< 
James and Mary (Berry) Atkinson. The family migrated to thi 
State and county in January, 1827, and made a settlement ii 
Clay Township, and a year later moved to Logan Township wher^ 
they remained until their deaths. James taught several terms o 
school after coming here, but turned nearly his entire attention t( 
farming. Andrew remaining with his parents until nearl} 
twenty-seven years old. May 22, 1843, he married Esther Wyatt, 
and to their union twelve children were born, ten of whom are 
living: Amon H., Marion J., Mary A., Louisa, Elizabeth, Esther, 
Evalene, Andrew W., Rosa B. and Oma. Mr. Atkinson has been 
very successful in farming and owns 185 acres of good land. He 
and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he 
has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and 
has been honored with an election to the office of township 
trustee. 

DR. THOMAS W. BASINGER, a native of Perry County, Ind., 
was born May 0, 1854. He is the oldest of five children born to 
Joseph S. and Philadelphia ( Chewning ) Basinger, who were born 
in Kentucky and Indiana respectively. The father when about 
six years old came with his parents to Indiana and located in 
Perry County, where he has since continued to reside. During 
the Rebellion he served for nearly two years in the Eighty-first 
Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Our subject's mother died in May, 
1.8()3, when the father married again in August, 1864. His 
second wife was Elizabeth (Dyer) Lanman, by whom he is the 
father of eight children. Thomas W. was reared at home and 
received his education in the common and graded schools, and 
when twenty years old began teaching school, continuing at that 
work about six years, meanwhile -tudying medicine. He attended 
the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., dur- 



402 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 

iiig the session of 1878 and 1870. He practiced his profession 
in Perry County, and in 1880 attended the Kentucky School of 
Medicine from which he received his diploma. He came to 
Oatsville, Ind., in 1881. and has practiced his profession. Sep- 
tember 14, 187tj, he and Mary Van Winkle were united in ma ■ - 
riat^e, and t(j them live children were born, only two of whom 
?!re living-: Ida M.. born March 22, 1879, and Homer A., born 
November 25, lSS3. Both husband and wife are members of the 
Mefchodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
In politics he is a Republican and is one of the best physici" .- 
in the county. 

LEWIS BECK, Sn., a well to do farmer of Logan Townsiiip, 
Pike Co.. Ind., and a native of the adjoining county of Gibson, 
was born February 8, 1815, and is the sixth in a family of nine 
children born to Henry and Catherine (Young) Beck, who were 
natives of North Carolina and came to this State from Tennessee 
about 1812. A short time subsequent to our subject's birth tL^ , 
removed from Gibson County to Pike County, where they lived 
until their deaths. Lewis remained at home and assisted his father 
on the farm until he was about twenty-four years old. He received 
a limited education in the primitive log schoolhouse of his d . 
He was married to Mary Heisley in December, 1838 ; they be- 
came the parents of three children: Daniel, Alfi"ed and one de- 
ceased. October 'J, 1864, Mrs. Beck was called to her long homf 
aiid December 3. 1865, Mr. Beck's nuptials with Mary (Lamb ) 
McGillem were celebrated. He has always been a farmer, and is 
the owner of 206 acres of well-improved land. He and wife are 
members of the Regular Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, and 
has been honored with an election to the office of township triir-f -, . 

JAMES W. HILLM AN was born in Clay Township, -'. - 
Co., Ind.. July (>, 1845. He is a member of one of the old^ '- i 
families in the county. His grandfather was Henry Hillman, 
who came to Pike County about 1820. The father, Daniel Hill- 
man, was a farmer and was twice married. His first wife was 
Mary A. Lane, who died in 1848, leaving six children, of whon 
our subject is the youngest. The father afterward married Rachel 
(Wright) Price, by whom he was the father of six children. He 
died April 20, 1874. James W. was reared at home and received 
a common school education. At the breaking out of the war, 
when only seventeen years old, he enlisted in Company G, Sixty- 
fifth Indiana Yolunteer Infantry in 18()2, and was mustered out 
in 1865. He took a worthy part in the battles of Nashville, Re- 
saca, Allatoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, and the siege of Atlanta 
and numerous lesser engagements. After his return from the 
army he worked by the month for a year or two, and then bought 
sixty acres of the farm where lid now lives. He has adtled to it 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 463 

until he now owns 127 acres of good land, and has built upon it 
one of the best houses in the towpship. February 13, 1873, he 
married Lizzie Atkinson, a daughter of Andrew Atkinson (else- 
wliere written). Both Mr. Hillman and wife are members of the 
United Baptist Church, and he is a member of the G. A. B., and 
a stanch Bepublican and good farmer. 

LEWIS LOVELESS, one of the most prominent citizens and 
a native of Logan Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born March 
10, 1834, and is the oldest in a family of four children born to 
Henry and Susanna (Beck) Loveless, who were natives of Pike 
County, Ind. The Loveless family settled in this county about 
1811, and the Beck family came from Gibson County about four 
years later. Our immediate subject's mother died when he was 
but four years of age, and at the age of thirteen years he went to 
live with Lewis Beck, with whom he remained two years, and 
then made his ]]ome with his grandfather Beck, remaining with 
him until the latter' s decease. Mr. Loveless always evinced a 
decided love for learning, and by dint of close application and 
without the aid of an instructor, had, at the age of eighteen, mas- 
tered the common branches. One year later he began teaching, 
and followed that occupation until 1884. March 14, 1855, he was 
married to Mahala A. Willis, and they became the parents of four 
childi-en: Maria E., Jesse, Willoughby, and Ida M. September 
8, 18G2, Mr. Loveless realized the necessity of quelling the Rebell- 
ion, and accordingly enlisted in Company A, Fifty-Eighth Indi- 
ana Regiment, and served until 1803, when he was discharged on 
account of a disability arising from inflammatory rheumatism. 
While in the service he was captured by John Morgan at Bards- 
town, Ky. In 1804 he united with the Missionary Baptist Church, 
of v.hich he is an ordained elder. In 1870 he removed to Knox 
County and was nominated by the Republican party to represent 
the Second District as member of Congress. The district was 
largely Democratic, but it may be said to his credit that he suc- 
ceeded in reducing their majority over 3,000 votes. In 1878 he 
returned to Pike County, where he has since resided. He is a 
pronounced Republican in j)olitics, and manifests a warm interest 
in the affairs of the county. Most of his life has been passed on 
a farm, and he possesses eighty acres of improved land. 

JOHN H. WILLIS, a prominent citizen of Logan Townshi}), 
Pike Co., Ind., is a native of North Carolina, where he was born, 
May 20, 1825. being the fourth in a family of nine children born 
to John and Elizabeth (West) Willis. v>ho vv'ereborn in the same 
State as their son, and resided there until 1833, Avhen they immi- 
grated to Indiana and located in Pike County, about one mile fi'om 
our subject's present residence, where they lived until their deaths. 
John H,, our subject, was reared on the home farm, and remained 



464 HISTORY OF pike county. 

there assisting his parents until he attained the age of twenty- 
two Yuars. He received a very limited education, in consequence 
of the poor facilities of those days. December 24, 184(^ his 
marriage with Eliza E. Marvel was solemnized, and to their 
union eleven children have been born, of which only tliese three 
are now living: Melissa (wife of Joseph B. Miley), Prentice and 
Sherman. Mr. Willis' occupation has always been farming, in 
wdiich he has been very successful. He now owns over 500 acres 
of land, mostly improved. He also engages quite extensively in 
stock raising. He and wife are members of the Missionary Bap- 
tist Church, and in politics he is a Republican, and manifests a 
good, live interest in the political affairs of the day. He is much 
respected by all who know him, and is a member of the Pike 
County Agricultural Society. 



CLAY TOWNSHIP. 



GEORGE CHAMBERS was born in Pike County, Ind., 
August 15, 1828, and is a son of George and Edith (Davidson) 
Chambers, who were the parents of five children. The father 
was of Scotch descent, and was born in Kentucky, where he liA^ed 
until twenty-four years old, and then came to Indiana. The 
mother was of Irish extraction, born in Wheeling, W. Va., and 
came to this State about the same time as the father. They were 
married in 1818. The father died in 1842, and the mother in 
1875. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received such edu- 
cation as could be obtained at that time. When George was but 
fourteen his father died, and he was forced to earn his own living. 
July 28, 1850, he married Mary Hornbrook. To them were born 
seven children, six now living: Elijah D., Sarah, Anna (Allen), 
Ella (Hill), Carl S., Nettie and Georgiana (deceased). About 
1853 our subject began keeping general merchandise, continuing 
in that business for about ten years. He then enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Forty-second Indiana Infantry, February 15, 18()4. He 
was at Resaca, Buzzard's Gap, in the battles before Atlanta, Ken- 
esaw Mountain and Nashville, Tenn. After coming home he 
began farming, continuing until 1881, when he purchased a half 
interest in the Union Mill. In 1883 he sold his interest in the 
mill, and engaged extensively in general merchandise, in connec- 
tion with his son, C. S. Chambers. They have an excellent line 
of goods, and control a large trade. George is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and a Republican in politics and an active 
worker in the party. He has been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church since he was seventeen years old. He is re- 
spected by his friends and neighbors as a worthy and useful citizen. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 465 

CAKL S. CHAMBEKS, son of the above, was born January 
b 1861. He was educated in the common and graded schools of 
Union, Ind. He worked with his father until 1881, when he 
worked at the carpenter's trade for one year, and then engaged 
as a clerk m a store in Union, continuing with them until Janu- 
ary 1 1883, when he commenced the general merchandise busi- 
ness for himself, and was soon joined by his father. They still 
continue together, and are doing well, financially 

WILLIAM W. COLVIN is a native of Pike County Ind 
born April 22, 1883, and son of William and Elizabeth (Hill' 
man) Colvm, who were the parents of seven children The 
father was born and raised in Ohio, and when about twenty-four 
years old, came to Pike County, Ind., and engaged in farining 
His death occurred May 20, 1845. The mother is a native of 
Kentucky, and came to Indiana about the same time as the father 
bhe still lives on the old farm, and is seventy-eight years old 
Our subject received a limited education in his boyhood days- 
he remained at home until twenty-eight years old, and then mar- 
ried and enlisted m the army in Company I, Forty-second Indi- 
ana Volunteers. He served about eighteen months. He has 
followed the life of a farmer since coming from the army and 
has met with very good success. He now owns 127 acres of land 
besides his share in the father's estate. June 25, 1861, he mar- 
ried Cohsty Coleman. They have two living children: Fannie 
and Ametia. Mr. Colvin is a member of the United Baptist 
Church, and an ardent Kepublican in politics 

^^.^'^^S^.^'^^^^^™' ^^*1^^^«^ Samuel Hargrove, is 
a son of the old pioneer of Gibson County, William Hargrove who 
was among the very early settlers of Indiana. He raised a i^om- 

d 2^^ I "' ""''^ ^^ ?^ ^^^'^^^^ ^^^«' ^^^1 participated in 
the battle of Tippecanoe. John was born November 29 1793 
in Kentucky, and was of Dutch descent. In 1803 the 'family 
came to Gibson County, Ind., when there were but two settle- 
ments between the Patoka and Ohio Kivers. He married Isi- 
phena Lathom, and they became the parents of twelve children. 
Mr. Hargrove was a farmer and merchant of Princeton and Ow- 
ensviUe. He was a leading Democrat of the county, and filled 
the office of associate justice, assessor, and represented Gibson 
County m the State Legislature from 1832 to 1834 In 1836 
he was elected sargeant-at-arms of the House, and in 1837 Gov' 
Noble commissioned him as probate judge to fill a vacancy. He 
was e ected to the Senate from Pike and Dubois Counties and 
served six terms m that body. He was also recorder and clerk of 
tne county one term. 

T i^?^*i^i^^!F.^.^ HARGKOVE was born in Gibson County, 
Ind., April 1(,, 1843. He was raised on a farm, receiving common 



466 HISTORY OF PfKR COUNTY. 

school nuvantages. and attended the Blooinington University six 
nK-nths as freshman, and he then enlisted in Company E Eii;bt- 
letli Indiana Infantry, July 21t, 18()'2, and served until July 8, 
181)5. He was at Perryville. through east Tennessee, in the At- 
lanta campaign, and returned to Nashville and Franklin after 
Hood. His regiment w?s then taken to the coast and joined 
Sherman's column. On his return from the Avar, he engaged in 
farming on his father's old place. In 18()() he purchased land 
and moved into Pike County, where he now lives. He was mar- 
ried to Mary Ewing September G, 1800. They have two chil- 
dren: Minnie and John E. The wife, who died March 11, 1885. 
owned 400 acres of land, they owning, in all, 550 acres. He 
has a good two-story frame residence, with an evergreen lawn in 
front, and a good barn and granaries. Besides farming, he deals 
extensively in cattle, horses and mules. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat and all his family, with but one exception, were Democrats. 
In 1880, he was elected to the House of Representatives, repre- 
senting Pike and Dubois Counties, and served one term. He has 
been president of Pike County Agricultural Society for four 
years, and a member of the State Agricultural Society, six years. 
He is a trustee of Purdue University, and a Mason, and is one 
of Pike County's most respected and influential citizens. His 
wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

DR. JOHN KIME was born in Pike County, Ind., March 
24, 1828, son of Michael and Lucy (Hutchison) Kime, who 
were the parents of ten children. The Doctor was raised on a 
farm and received a somewhat limited education. When nearly 
twenty-one years old he attended school at Newburg, Inch, and 
obtained a fair education. He then taught school for some time 
and on reaching his majority, he went to Tennessee and con- 
tinued teaching. He attended the Nashville Medical College and 
married in that State and soon after went to Kentucky and re- 
turned to Indiana in 1861. To his marriage with Ellen Mor- 
rison, November 16, 1854, three children were born, two of whom 
are living: James F and Rufus R. His wife died March 21, 
1861, and September 18, 1862, he married Casanner (Jones) 
Gardiner. They became the parents of six children — five sons 
and one daughter. Dr. Kine came to this State about the begin- 
ing of the war and in consequence lost all his property. He 
mustered a company of soldiers and while in camp at Paducah, 
was taken ill and compelled to return home. He began the 
practice of medicine and continued in that profession until two 
years previous to his death. He died of cancer August 28, 1884. 
He lived at Union twenty-one years, where he had built up a good 
practice. He owned fifty-two acres of land besides some town 
lots. He is a very liberal Democrat and was an elder in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 467 

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member tor 
thirty-five years. He was noted for his skill as a physician and 
surgeon and for his generosity to the unfortunate and the soldiers. 

THOMAS LEE was born in Pike County, Ind., July 4, 1823. 
Thomas and Eve Lee were the parents of nine children. They 
were natives of North Carolina and came to Indiana when there 
were but few settlements, and when the woods abounded in In- 
dians and wild animals. He located and began clearing his farm, 
but before having accomplished much he died. He was a great 
hunter and made the most of his living in that manner. His 
wife died when our subject was an infant. Thus the family was 
broken up. Thomas made his home with George Colvin until he 
was twenty-five years old when he located on seventy acres of land 
which he had purchased with $?>0, his portion of his father's 
estate. He built a log hut and began clearing his land and 
putting in crops. He continued farming and now owns 102 
acres of very fertile land. He has been a successful farmer and 
deals in live stock to some extent. Catharine Frederick became 
his wife January 20, 1848. Their marriage remained childless, 
but they have raised several orphan children. Mr. Lee is a member 
of the I. O. O. r., and is a member of the Methodist Church. 
His wife died November 22, 1884, and he yet lives on the old 
home place with two of his nieces. He is a Republican in politics. 

ALBERT L. MASTERS was born in Pike County, Ind., 
December 20, 1821. His parents were Richard and Elizabeth 
(Fowler) Masters, who were born and raised in Kentucky. They 
came to Pike County, Ind., about 1819 and settled on a farm,, 
previously entered, and began clearing it. The father died when 
our subject was two years old. December 12, 1826 his widow 
married John Butler. When he was about thirteen years old his 
step-father died and he then remained with his mother until he 
was twenty-three years old and then began farming for himself 
on land where his father had lived. About 1849 he purchased 
the farm where he now lives. He has been quite successful in his 
enterprises and owns 191 acres of land, 223 acres which he owned 
in Logan Township he gave to his children. December 18, 1846 
he married Catharine Grubb and they became the parents of 
eleven children, nine now living. The wife died June 1, 1882, 
and Mr. Masters is living on the old home farm with his chil- 
dren. He is a member of the I. O. O. F,, and has been a member 
of the Methodist and Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. He 
was born and raised a Democrat but after the war he became a 
Republican. He enlisted in Company G, Sixty-fifth Indiana 
Volunteers, July 15, 1862, but was discharged in February, 1864, 
on account of disability. He was in several battles and skirm- 
ishes. He is now sixty-four years old and is yet hale and hearty. 



468 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 



JESSE H. CLIFFORD, farmer, son of Allen W. and Susan 
(Moore) Clifford, was born July 12, 1841, in Pike County, Ind. 
The father was born in Kentucky, March 25, 1816, and came to 
this county in his boyhood, and located in Lockhart Township. 
About 1835, he married and settled in Patoka Township, where 
he lived until 1840, when he removed to Lockhart Township. 
Some time after he started to Indianapolis to transact some busi- 
ness, his son taking him to Oakland City. Whether he ever 
arrived at his destination or not, is not known. His fate remains 
a • complete mystery. He left a wife and son, a good farm and 
pleasant surroundings. The mother's death occurred August 7, 
1852. Our subject \>bo ieceived a limited education in youth, 
was married July 25, 1861, to Tasa L. Davis, born December 14, 
1842. To them were born six children: Joseph W., Mary E., 
Sarah K., Nancy C, Charley W. and Tasa L. Thirteen years 
later his wife died, and August 14, 1876, he married Ruth Lane, 
born December 24, 1855. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren: Eddie, Allen W., Julia B. and Ella F. The parents and 
the three oldest children are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. 
Clifford is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. 

H. B. SHIVELY, merchant, of Pleasantville, Ind., is the son 
of Byrom and Harriet Woods Shively. The father kept hotel in 
Huntingburgh, Jnd., where he remained until 1861, when he 
entered the army. He enlisted in Company F, Fifty-third Indi- 
ana Volunteers. From a private he rose to the rank of captain, 
which office he ably filled. At Atlanta he was struck with a 
ball and killed, thus giving his life for his country, August 28, 
1864. The mother died the year following. Capt. Shively was 
a son of Jacob Shively, a leading minister of the Christian 
Church. Our subject was born September 11, 1857. He received 
a fair education, and when twenty years old, began clerking for 
J. H. Taylor & Co., with whom he remained three years. He is 
now one of the two partners of the house of H. B. Shively & Co.. 
and is doing a lively business. September 30, 1883, he married 
Emma Cox, born March 15, 1866. To them was born one child, 
Elvy. Mr. Shively Ib a Democrat and cast his first vote for 
Cleveland. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and has 
passed through all the degrees. He is a good business man and 
citizen. 



PART III. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY 



CHAPTER I* 

Geology— Boundary and Water Courses— Recent Deposits— The 
Drift— Paleozoic Formations— Section of the County— Fossils 
—The Coals— Local Details— Economic Considerations— Mining 
Companies- Ochre— Clays, etc. 

DUBOIS COUNTY is bounded on the north by Daviess and 
Martin Counties, on the east by Orange* and Crawford, 
on the south by Perry, Spencer and Warrick, and on the west by 
Pike, embracing an area of 432 square miles, of which one-tenth 
is river and creek bottoms, one-half modified drift and alluviam 
of ancient lakes and rivers and the remainder bold hills and elevated 
plateaus and knolls, overlaid with conglomerate sandstone. White 
and Patoka Rivers with their numerous branches drain the entire 
county. Many fine springs flow out from the junction of the al- 
luvium with the other deposits. 

Recent Geology. — The surface deposits consist of pure clays, 
or those slightly mixed with gravel of the glacial drift, and loess 
with the subsequent lacustrine and alluvial deposits. Of these 
the alluvium is found in the river bottoms, and its origin is due 
to causes now in action. It is formed from the decomposition of 
the older rocks, contains their best elements, and is the most 
fertile land in the county. Lacustrine deposits consist of clays 
and impalpable intercolations of silicious material with occasional 
layers of quicksand. It is found in digging wells on the plateau 
between Ireland and Otwell. The loess caps the highest hills of 
the county. It is a warm loamy sand, imperfectly stratified, 

♦Adapted to this work from the report of E. T. Cox, State Geologist, 1872. 



470 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

twentv t<' thirty feet in thickness, is rich in plant food and is 
culled the "walnut level.'"' Much of the richness of the loess has 
been removed by erosion. The glacial drift consists of white and 
blue plastic clays, spread out over the system of hills and valleys 
formed during the drift period. In the southern part of tlie 
county it is only a few inches thick, but on the north becomes 
about eight feet. 

Paleozoic Geology. — The stratified rocks of the county belong 
mainly to the coal measures, with limited exposures of subcarbon- 
iferous limestone in the deep gorges at the head of Patoka Eiver. 
The entire county is underlaid with coal, excepting only the 
highlands, commencing a short distance north of Birdseye and 
extending to the northern boundary. Even within this area oc- 
casional layers may be found on the hill tops. The following sec- 
tion exhibits the county coals and rocks: 

Feet. 

Soil 2 to 10 

Shaly sandstone 10 

Black slate 1 

Coal M H 

Fire clay..*. 2i 

Silicious shales, part sandstone 18 

CoalL(?) n 

Fire clay with iron nodules 9 

Silicious shales and covered 40 

Hard flinty limestone ,. 1 to 10 

Block slate with iron concretions 2 to 8 

Coal K with 2 inches sulphur band 2| 

Fire clay, plastic H 

Fire clay, hard 3 

Laminated and ferruginous sand-rock 22 

Massive conglomerate 48 to 110 

Gray silicious shale 2 to 24 

Calcareous shale to 10 

Bituminous shale to 2 

Coal A (partly block) li 

Dark bituminous clay 1^ 

Blue clay shale 3 

Silicious shale 7 

Bituminous clay shale 2^ 

Coal, rash ... f 

Fire clay, shaly 1^ 

Clay shale with iron nodules 4 

Archimedes limestone 10 

Oolitic limestone 50 

The above section is made commencing at the hill north of 
Jasper. The two coals, M and L, are thin and are worked by strip- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 471 

inno-, and toward Ireland are seen in outcrop at the hill tops. 
They do not paA' mining. Coal L is fifty to sixty feet above coal 
K. The heavy bed of silicious shale between coals L and K 
usually has a stratum of sand rock from two to five feet thick. At 
the base of this bed are leaves and stems of XcKroptcris, Pccop- 
ieris, Alcfhopnris, AsicrophyJIitcs, FJcihcUaria? and Cordaiics Q.nd 
trunks of SigiUaria, Cdhimife^ nnd Lcpidodcndron, large and i)er- 
fect, are occasionally found. Coal K and the strata which ac- 
company it presents a marked group in the county. They com- 
mence on White River, thence ascend to the summit of the ridge 
dividincr it from Patoka River, thence descend to the trough of 
the latter stream, thence again ascend, often fifty feet to the mile, 
but finally descend at the southern line of the county. The 
black slate above coal K is marked, is often sulphurous, strongly 
l)ituminous, with heavy pyritous boulders, highly fossiliferous. 
coal plants, shells and marine animals. In one of the boulders 
was found near Holland the large fish bone, with saw-edged 
teeth, first supposed to be a jaw-bone but later pronounced 
a caudal or dorsal armature of a ray fish. Coal K underlies nearly 
two-thirds of the western part of the county, ranges from two 
to four feet thick, is usually coking but occasionally block. Un- 
der this coal is the soil which supported the life of the coal 
plants. Still lower is found the laminated and conglomerate sand 
rocks. It is prominent in the eastern part of the county. One 
of its spurs extends entirely across the county from east to 
west, south of Patoka River. It is coarse grained, massive or 
heavy bedded, and contains fine casts of Sigillnria, Siigman'a. 
Lepklodendron and Ulodendron. Under the massive conglomer- 
ate are found the gray, silicious shales, abounding with plant re- 
mains, and cut with carbonaceous and pyritious partings. This 
shale becomes soft, and is washed away from under the massive 
stone above, thus forming the many "rock-houses" which occui-. 
Coal A underlays the whole county except the highest conglomerate 
ridges on the eastern border. Analysis proves it rich in carbon ; 
it is compact, generally splinty, has a vitreous luster, a conchoidal 
fracture, is very free from charcoal dust, and is prized for 
parlor use. Below coal A, twelve to eighteen feet, a brash coal 
eight or ten inches thick sometime? appears. Below all this is the 
subcarboniferous or mountain limestone, which is exposed only 



472 IIlSTOliV OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

in the vallev-- of the streams. Still lower is the line Oolitic lime- 
stone. Springs burst out from these rocks, accompanied by 
cm-rents of cold air, proving the existence of caverns in the hili-. 
Local Dciaih. — It will be impossible in a work of thisnatur<i 
to notice all the local features, but enough will be given to show 
the character and value of the coal, stone, etc. Coals L and M 
are worked by stripping. At Section 1, Town 2, Range 5, C'oal 
K, is two to three and a half feet thick. On Section IS, same 
town and range, it is from one to two and a half feet thick. In the 
limestone above are ProdnctHS scmirctiGiilafns, P. jinnctdtns, Spi ri- 
fe?' ciimeratus, AUiijrii^ suhfikifa, P'ninm and crinoid stems. On 
Sections 5 and 8, same town and range. Coal K is two feet nine 
inches thick, and the limestone above has the fossils last named 
besides Myalina, Discina.. Cijrfoccras, Xdiifilufi, Comdarid. 
Plenfomaria, Macroccphilii^ Peckm Indiwicnsis. Near McCane's. 
Township 1, Range t). Coal K is three to four feet thick. This 
coal outcrops around Portersville on almost every hill-side. On 
Section 24, in the bed of White River, Coal A is seen, brought 
up by an ancient ridge. On the Harris farm, Coal K is three 
feet four inches thick. On Section 2(), Town 1, Range 5, Coal K 
is two feet two inches, and Coal A which appears is one foot 
seven inches. Around Haysville Coal K has been principally 
removed by denuding forces. Coal A is seen at the foot of the 
hills. Near tihe mouth of Wolf Creek, part of a mastodon's 
skeleton was dio.-o 'ered. Coal K is very thin at Kellersville. 
Occasional ban]cs two to three feet thick are worked. Iron ore 
appears in the li^l tops near Ludlow. Farther east in Columbia 
Township, Coal A has been quite extensively worked, and is a 
good article, and is worked by stripping. Iron ores abound. 
Here is found an abundance -ot me cnoAoesu umestone; c-^ou ou. 
Patoka River south. At Knoxville, Lepldodendron, Ligillaria, 
Alethopteris Serlii, Cardiates borassifolia, Calamites, Spirifer 
cameratus, Athyris suhtilata, Productus costatus, Rhychnonella 
and Phillipsia are found. Conglomerate ores of iron are abun- 
dant. Coal K has been worked in this vicinity. At Jasper, 
Coal K is found at low water. Near Celestine, Coal A has been 
worked in a number of places. In numerous places around 
Schnellville, Coal A appears. Valuable ochers are found on Sec- 
tions 9, 14, 20 and 22, near there. On Section 33, Town 2, Range 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY'. 473 

3. Coal A is three feet and three inches thick, and numerous 
openings to it are here made. Massive sandstone is well shown 
near Birdseye. Here Coal A has been often worked. "Eock 
houses" are frequent. Knolls of loess, rich and loamy, cap ihe 
hills of Town 2, Range 3, and here a stratum of bituminous lime- 
stone appears. At the foot of the hills, many springs burst out- 
Numerous outcrops of Coal A appear, several mines being worked. 
Near St. Anthony, this coal is three to four and a half feet, is rich 
in carbon, and is extensively worked. In numerous places 
throughout the entire county, fine glass-sand abounds. At Fer- 
dinand, Coal K is at the hill tops, while Coal A is at the water 
level. 

Ths Anderson Valley Mining Company has been organized 
many years to work the various ochers, paints, Tripoli powder, 
etc., found in the vicinity of Ferdinand. J. B. Gohman, John 
Baunline, AV. A. Bindewald and Dr. Kempf began the work on 
Section 34, Township 3, Range 4. The following is the section 
at their early mine : 

Feet. 

Slope 10 

Shaly soapstone "steatite" paint 3 

Dark and light "butternut" paint, and dark and light 

"Bismarck brown" paint li 

Bituminous limestone with Productus punctatus, P. lon- 
gispinus, P. cor a, Spirifer cameratas, S. lineatus, S. 
Kentuckienseis, Nautilus deooratus. Cyrtoceras, Ten- 
bratula brenidens, Athyris subtilata, Hemipronitei 
crassa, Aoiculo-perJen providensei, Fusulinn cylindri 

ca 3 

Limestone changing into "coral earth," with beautiful 
plates and spines of Archcecidare' s mucronatus, A. 
Wortheni, Grinoid stems, plates ami arms; stems and 
crushed plates of Pentremites and other mountain 

limestone animals I 

"Terra de Sienna" and yellow ocher 1 jij 

Coal K — 

Bituminous shale, ' 'dark umber' ' f 

"Yellow ocher" li 

Fire clay with stigmirial roots 3 

Potter's clay, "Dubois cream" or "stone color" 4 

Bedded sandstone, etc., to water 75 

The supply of the paints named and others is so great around 
Ferdinand that it is practically inexhaustible. The company now 
offers for sale in large quantities the following paints with prices 



474 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

attached: ]5utteriuit, light and dark, 'i| cents per pound; Bis- 
mnick brown, 4 cents; Bismarck red, 5 cents; ocher No. 1, "_ 
cents; ocher No. 2, 1\ to I'l cents; raw umber, 4 cents; burnt um- 
ber, 5 cents; metallic fire-proof maroon, red, light and dark, 2jf 
to 2^ cents; raw sienna, 2 cents; burnt sienna, 2^ cents; Dubois 
st( )ne. 2 cents ; Dubois coach black, 4 cents ; American Tripoli, 5 
to to cents. A discount is made to the trade. The paints and 
polishing powder have the highest endorsements of those who 
have used them, rivaling and often surpassing any others of this 
or foreign countries. This enter[)rise cannot be spoken of too 
highly, and reflects much credit on the patience, industry and 
intelligence of the company. 

In the vicinity of St. Henry, Coal A has been worked exten- 
sively and is about three feet thick. On farther west, Coal K 
becomes visible and workable. Its limestone roof is often filled 
with the finest fossils, named above. At Holland Coal K is good, 
as are also its accompanying iron ores. Many excellent beds of the 
latter are found in this vicinity. Fine beds of ocher are often 
found in digging wells. North of Holland the " massive " sand- 
stone and its accompaning " rock-houses " appear. Remains of 
' animals and human bones have been found in the latter. North 
of Huntingburgh the finest potters' clay is found. At the town, 
Coal A is below the surface from fifteen to twenty feet. It may 
be said in general that Dubois County is not surpassed by any 
other in the State in point of mineral products. It has the finest 
coal, sandstone, limestone, ochres, polishing powders, fire clays, 
iron ores, sands for glassware, springs of good water, etc., besides 
a valuable soil and timber. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 47,: 



CHAPTER II. 

Settlement OF the Couxtv— uoMixaoF the Pioneers— Their Tkials 
IN thb Wildeuness— Anecdotes and IxciDRNrs of Interest- 
Indian Cession Treaties- Land Entries— Other Items of In- 
terest. 

IN fixing the dates of early settlements in any locality there is 
much liability to err. Especially is this the case where the 
first settlers came at a time considerably removed into the past. 
It is generally believed that the earliest settlers came to Dubois 
County in 1802. There is not much testimony to impeach this 
general belief, but when it is considered that about one century 
had elapsed since Vincennes had been settled by white men, it 
seems almost improbable that none of them should have pene- 
trated so short a distance into the surrounding country. The set- 
tlement had continued to grow from the time of its beginning 
and the population was getting to be numerous in that locality. 

One thing is certain, that at the time when what are usually 
deemed the first settlers came, there was a well-known and fre- 
quented route passing along the northern portion of the county, 
leading from Vincennes to Jeffersonville. It was popularly known 
through this section as the -Mud hole trace," oh account of some 
mud holes that were situated near Portersville, and rendered the 
way almost impassable. White men had been here before 1802, 
but a doubt exists whether any remained to eflPect a permanent 
settlement. In that part of the county where this " trace " was 
is where the location by white men was made. 

It is seldom that the earliest inhabitants of any portion of a new 
country succeed in perpetuating their names as such. The first 
comers are nearly always squatters, and many of them remain for 
a time and then move away. But however many such there may 
have been in this county, the present work has nothing to do with 
those things that are based upon supposition alone"^ Beliable 
facts will be dealt with and such statements will be made as have 
a strong probability in their favor. What few records could be 



476 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

found have been carefully examined, and where none could be ob- 
tained the oldest and most reliable of the early settlers have been 
interviewed. Among these Mr. Bazil B. Edmonston, who has 
been a resident of the county since the year 1818, and one of its 
best known citizens, deserves special mention for his willingness 
to assist in giving information. 

Boone Township has the reputation of being the scene of the 
first white settlement in Dubois County. This was made by two 
brothers, John and William McDonald, near the "mud holes," in 
1802. John McDonald is said to have built the first house erected 
by a white man in the county. The time was in the early part 
of 1802, or more than eighty-three years ago. What a fruitful 
subject for contemplation is the change that has taken place in 
oui- affairs since that time. The United States had not yet be- 
come owners of any part of what now constitutes Dubois County. 
The Indians owned and inhabited the whole country in this portion 
of the State. But most of the county was purchased from the 
Indians by a treaty made at Fort Wayne on the 7th of June, 1803, 
and was included in what is known as the Yincennes Tract. The 
•balance of the county was bought in August of the following year 
at Vincennes. By this it will ba seen that all those who settled 
in the county prior to June, 1803, were living on Indian lands, 
and after that time, up to 1807, the date of the fii-st land entry, 
they were upon "Congress" land. As soon as the Government had 
purchased the land immediate preparations Avere made for having 
it surveyed. This was done as follows: Range 3 west, by Levi 
Barber, and Range 4 by Nahum Bewl, in September 1804; Range 
5 by David Sandford and Range 6 by Stubbs & Fowler in October 
of the same year. Not long after this the land was placed on sale 
at Vincennes. But the people were not disposed to wait on the 
owners of the soil for an invitation to locate in any particular lo- 
cality. Whenever and wherever they wanted to go they went. 
It was something of this spirit that caused the trouble with the 
Indians in 1811. A list of those who were the first to purchase 
land in Boone Township is here given, with the year the land was 
bought. Of course many of these men had lived in the county 
some time prior to the time of buying real estate on which to make 
their future home: James Fenis, 1810; Peleg R.Allen, 1818; 
Jacob Lemmon,1814; Samuel Smythe,1814; Nicholas Harris,1817 i 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTV. l77 

Thomas Hope, 1818; John Thompson, ISl-l; Ebenezer Smythe, 
1816; David Wease, 1814; John Coley, 1815; Jacob Harbison, 
1811; Anthony McElwain, 1817; Joseph Stubblefield, 1S14; Adam 
Hope, 1812; Arthur Harbison, 1807; Richard Hope, 1818; Tou- 
saint Dubois, 1807; John Sherritt, 1817; James Harbison, 1816; 
John and James Niblack, 1817; William Kelso, 1821; Samuel 
Brown, 1818; William Green and George Armstrong, 1817; Dan- 
iel Harris, 1826. These are all the entries made up to the close 
of 1830. Among other early settlers may be named John De- 
Motte; James McElwain; John, Solomon, George and Joseph 
Daffron; Jacob Lincus, Lemuel and Andrew Kelso, Robert D. 
Dixon, Stephen Dixon, Thomas Anderson, Charles and Raughley 
Horton, Samuel Kirkland, Hamilton McKain, John Abel and 
Josiah Reader. 

The McDonalds were not long alone, for they had scarcely 
completed their cabin ere others began to dot the forests. The 
Indians were troublesome then, and for protection a block-house 
was built near the "mud holes," to which they all might go in 
times of unusual danger. These houses were generally built by 
the united efforts of all the people in a community, and were con- 
sidered much as common proparty. Not long after John McDon- 
ald came to Dabois County, he was deprived of his life-chosen 
partner, and his wife's grave was the first to close over a white 
person in the county. She was buried on the Sherritt farm. By 
some it is said McDonald's first house was built near this same 
place, but it is probable that it was built farther north, and on 
the farm now owned by Louis Weaver. He seems to have built 
several cabins in this neighborhood. He did build a house — a 
double log, and most likely his second — -near the grave of his 
wife. This was occupied by him and the family of his brother 
William, while the Indians took possession of the first cabin. 
Not long after that the Indians became hostile, and they were 
compelled to take their families back to Jeffersonville on pack 
mules. They returned to take care of their crops. During this 
time they were beginning to have white neighbors, and a portion 
would stand on guard during the day while others worked in the 
fields. White River was constantly watched, for the savages 
were expected to make an outbreak at any day. After the fear had 
somewhat subsided, and no danger being apprehended, the fami , 



4/8 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

lies were again brought to the forests. Gen. Harrison, a ver; 
few yeais later, came through this section. He changed th 
"old mud hole trace" in several places, and it was ever after kiiow ,, 
;is the -'Governor's trace." The house of William McDonald 
was a usufd stopping place for travelers then, and there are sev- 
eral stories still told of incidents connected with Gen. Harrison's 
stay there. One of these has for its gist the fact that his daugh- 
ter. Avho accompanied him, while drinking from a gourd, stood 
leaning over the water pail, and for this her father reprimanded 
her and gave her a considerable slap. On another of these trips 
the future President lost his gold watch, and was unable to find 
it. Several years later it was found and sent to Indianapolis as 
a relic. A few years later the Indians again broke out, but this 
time the settlers concluded not to take their families away, but to 
defend them. For this purpose they built the fort before spoken 
of, and which was known as the McDonald Fort for several years. 

The man for whom Dubois County was named appeared 
upon the scene about that time. His full name was Tousaint 
Dubois, and he had been for some time living at Vincennes. As 
his name indicates, he was a Frenchman. He bought the land 
of the Government that theMcDonalds had been living upon and 
partly improved. There was always great strife in the early days 
for the best land. At nearly the same time Arthur Harbison 
entered a piece of land in the same vicinity. These two were the 
first men to buy land in the county, and both were honored by 
the later settlers. There is some doubt whether Dubois ever 
lived in the county that now bears his name. It was then Knox 
County, and continued to be until 1813. In the meantime he 
earned the special mention of his general in the memorable field 
of Tippecanoe. 

Going a little further north in Boone Township, and in the 
neighborhood of Portersville, the country was rapidly filling with 
people. In that section James Ferris was an early settler. On 
the farm now owned by Thomas Ferris, near Portersville, another 
block-house was built, and it continued to stand until the trouble 
with the Indians was entirely removed. Ferris came as early as 
1808, and several others came about the same time. ' The land 
where Portersville is now located was entered by Jacob Lemmon, 
in 1814. When the place was chosen for the county seat it was 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 479 

covered with large forest trees. A ••deadening" was near the 
log court lionse. and people from the farther portions of the 
coiinty would come and camp out there while their causes were 
being disposed of. Sometimes they would remain for several 
daj's, and during the time they would have a jolly time, and 
engage in various pastimes common in their day. 

Hon. William E. Niblack, at present judge in the Indiana Su- 
preme Court, who was born in Portersville in 1822, has kindly fur- 
nished some of the following facts: His father, John Niblack, 
moved to Dubois County in 1817, only a short time after it had 
been established. He was a native of Fayette County, Ky. Im- 
mediately after coming to Indiana he was a})pointed agent of 
Dubois County to complete its organization ; he laid out the town 
of Portersville and conducted the sale of the town lots; he also 
built the first court house and jail. These were both hewed log 
structures. The court house was two stories high with a brick 
chimney at each end. Tho lower story constituted the court 
room and the upper story was divided into smaller rooms for 
jury purposes. The jail was also two stories high. The lower 
story was constructed with double hewed log walls and was called 
"the dungeon," being used to confine criminals of the worst class. 
The upper story had a single wall of hewed logs and was called 
the ''debtor's prison" — imprisonment for an ordinary debt being 
then allowed by law. The old jail has long since disappeared, but 
the old court house, though in a somewhat dilapidated condition, 
still stands and is used as a store-house for grain and other farm 
products. John Niblack was one of the earliest and most active 
friends of education and other progressive measures of his day, 
and always took an active part in local public affairs. He never 
sought an oflice for himself, being only for a short time a few 
years before his death an associate judge of his county. 

At a date nearly, if not quite, as early as the first settlement 
in Boone Township, there came to what is now Madison Town- 
ship, several white families. One of these was that of Josiah 
Eisley, a man who disputes with John McDonald the priority of 
settlement in the county. It was a short distance southwest from 
Ireland, on Section 25 that Risley built his first house. By 
some this is thought to have been the first one erected in this 
county, but the probabili^^ are in favor of the McDonald house. 



480 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Madison Township is one of the bast agi'icultaral districts in the 
county, and it was doubtless this that attracted the early settlers 
to that region. The record of land entries shows that no other 
portion of the country was more eagerly sought after by the men 
then settling the country. Up to the year 1830 the following is 
a complete list of the purchasers of land of the Government. 
Edward Wood, 1814; John Stewart, 181G; Richard Wood, 1817; 
James and Samuel Green, 1816; Jesse Corn, 181(); Edward 
Green, 1814; George Armstrong, 1817; John Niblack, Jr., 1817; 
Henry Lacefield, 1814; Hugh Redman, 1815; John Anderson, 
1817; Ashbury Alexander, 1815; Robert Stewarb, 1816; John 
Green and John Cantrell, 1817; Isaac Alexander, 1815; George 
Hankin, 1818; William Closson, 1819; Edward Mosby, 18t^5; 
John McMahon, 1818; John Anderson and Eli Thomas, 1820; 
Jonathan Walters (probably Walker), 1816; John Payne, 1817; 
William Hurst, 1816; James Kelly, 1817; James Payne, 1816; 
William and Thomas Anderson, 1815; T. J. Wethers, 1817; 
John Walker, 1814; William Shook, 1814; Andrew Anderson, 
1817; Jesse Lindsey, 1820; Joseph Kinman, 1818. This is a 
total of thirty-two entries made by thirty-six persons and nearly 
all of them were in their teens. None of them came in less than 
seven years after the first of Boone Township. 

In Madison Township no family was more prominent than the 
Armstrongs, and some of them were long identified with every 
public affair of this locality. Ashbury Alexander and some of 
the Greens were also foremost among the early settlers. Many 
were of Irish descent and hence the name of the town in that 
township. Lacey and James Ritchey who came very early had 
been slaveholders in the South and upon coming to Indiana are 
said to have brought their negroes with them. This was no uncom- 
mon occurrence in the early settlement of southern Indiana, but 
the vigorous policy of the Territorial and State governments soon 
rendered the maintenance of human slavery within its borders 
both impossible and impracticable. 

Another thing that attracted settlers to this portion of the 
county was the facilities afforded by the Patoka. In times of 
high water it was utilized as a means for transporting whatever 
produce might be on hand. But the use for which it was most 
available and most beneficial was as a water-power. Several early 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 



481 



mills were erected aloucr its banks and afforded the people 
milling advantages superior to those of most early settlements. 
The Kisleys kept one of these mills for several years and did a 
large trade. 

One of the prominent characters of the early days was Jona- 
than Walker. He was one of those large, robiist, pugilistic fel- 
lows who attract attention in any crowd on account of physical 
vigor. His fighting ability was of the highest order and he lost 
no opportunity for exhibiting it. In fact he was rather quarrel- 
some and sought opportunities to display himself. He was 
known from Vincennes to Louisville along the "trace'' that crossed 
Dubois County. About the year IS-tO he was indicted and tried 
for the murder of a shoe-maker at Huntingburgh, but was ac- 
quitted. 

Harbison Township is the middle of the three northern town- 
ships, and is bounded on the north by the east fork of White 
River and Martin County, on the west by Columbia Township, on 
the south by Marion and Bainbridge Townships and on the west 
by Boone Township. It is now inhabited by a considerable num- 
ber of Germans, indeed there are but few families besides them in 
the township. It is named for Arthur Harbison, an early settler 
and the first associate judge of the county. The Vincennes trace 
passed through this township, and in early times it brought some 
intercourse with the world. A majority of the first settlers were 
from North Carolina and brought with them most of the ideas of 
life that prevailed in that section of the country at the opening of 
the century. Many of them were poor and found it nearly impos- 
sible to flourish in a land where human slavery prevailed. The 
poor freemen were in a worse condition than the slaves. They 
determined to abandon their native country and found a home in 
the great West. Indiana was then ui)on the very verge of civil- 
ization, and hither they flocked in large numbers. The whole 
southern end of the State was settled by people from the South- 
ern States. 

In the very early days a few came with slaves. Up to and in- 
cluding the year 1830, the following is a complete list of the pur- 
chasers of land in what is now Harbison Township: B. B. Ed- 
monston, 1818; Moses Kelso, 1818; Edward Givin, 1817; Samuel 
Nichols, 1822; John Lemon, 1824; Richard Hoper, Sr., 1818; 



482 insToiiv of Dubois county. 

Williuru Edmonstoii, iSlS : Andrew F. Kelso. lS-2'.» : Jo-pdIi 
Kelso, ISIO : Samuel Kelso. 1S17; Eeuben Matliias, 1>LY: 
Thomas Pattoii. 18U); Samuel McComiell 1807; Jose})li I. Kelso. 
1824; Willis Hays, 1818; James Hope, 1814; Josej)!! Stubble- 
field, 1814: Joseph Little, 1817; John Lemon. 1810; James Jack- 
son, 1818. Many of these had been in the ccmnty some time be- 
fore purchasing land. The Kelsos were the most prominent 
family in the township in early days and they Avere leaders in all 
public affairs in this portion of the county. Willis Hays took an 
active part in the doings of the earlier days and he was for a time 
associate judge. For him the village of Haysville was named. Dur- 
ing the decade from 1810 to 1820 a man named John Butler kept 
a small store, about one and a half miles southeast of Haysville. 
on the farm of Anna Hoffman. These early traders all bought 
furs of any kind that they could dispose of, and many Avere the 
jokes that would be played upon them. It is said that often people 
would fasten a coon's tail to a possum skin and sell it for coon 
skin, which brought a high price. It was near this place that an 
Indian was killed on account of some threat he had made while 
partly intoxicated. Butler sold whisky too, and the Indians came 
here frequently for that article, and would drink and dance in 
their savage fashion. Between Butler's place and Haysville a 
block-house was built on the farm now owned by John Hebner. 
The people resorted to that in case of danger, or when any fear 
was entertained "from the Indians. This house did not long stand 
after the Indians had been driven from this part of Indiana. 

Not far from the line between Boone and Harbison Town- 
ships, Arthur Harbison killed an Indian. It is told of him that 
on account of some relative, said to have been his father, having 
been killed in Kentucky, he entertained a bitter hatred for the 
Indian race, and that he lost no opportunity for revenge. These 
early Indian tragedies were but few in Dubois County. Fousaint 
Dubois had been employed by Gen. Harrison as a messenger, to 
the various Indian tribes, and with them he is said to have had 
great influence for good. It may be that he had something to do 
with the good feeling that prevailed in this county. It will be 
remtjuiuered that he was h ind owont lere, and had some per- 
sonal mteres 'n the spirit m&mtesHefA between ,xio red men and 
the whites. The same authority for Harbier i also says that he 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 48-5 

was accom]:)ained by William Curry, and that each of them killed 
an Indian. The red men had cut a bee tree and were busy gatli- 
erino- the honey when they were shot. This report is given for 
what it is worth. 



CHAPTER III. 

Organization of the County— Act of Creation— The County 
Board— Formation of Townships— The County Seat Question— 
ruBLic Buildings— The Poor— New Townships— County Offi- 
cers—Railroads—Agricultural Societies— Other Events of 
Value. 

IN 1805, when Indiana was first organized as a Territory, the land 
now composing Dubois County was a part of Knox. Thus 
it remained until the formation of Gibson County, in 1813, when 
most of it was embraced in the new county. In t)ecember, 1816, 
by the formation of Pike County out of Gibson, Knox and Perry 
Counties, it was included in Pike. It remained as a part of Pike 
but one year, when it was organized into a separate county. The 
act of the Legislature creating Dubois County, reads as follows: 

An act forming a new county out of the eastern end of Pike County. 

APPROVED December 20, 1817. 

Section \.—Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana. 
that from and after the 1st of February next, all that parcel or tract of country 
lying in the eastern part of the present county of Pike, shall be formed into ;v 
new county to be called and known by the name of Dubois County, to wit. 
Begining at a point on the bank of the east fork of White River, at which the 
center line of Range 6 shall intersect said fork of White River; thence running 
south with said center line until said center line intersects the present line divid- 
ing Warrick and Pike Counties; thence east with said line to the line dividing 
Perry and Pike Counties; thence with said line dividing Orange and Pike 
Counties until it shall strike Lick Creek; thence meandering with said creek 
until it empties itself into the east fork of White River; thence meandering 
down said river to the place of beginning. 

Sec. 2. That Gen. W. Johnson, of Knox County; Thomas Polke, of Perry 
County; Thomas Montgomery, of Gibson County; Richard Palmer, of Daviess 
County; and Ephraim Jordan, of Knox County, be, and they are hereby ap- 
pointed commissioners to meet at the hoiwe of "William McDaniel, near the "Mud 
Holes," on the second Monday of February, 181«. and proceed to select a site 
for the seat of justice for said county undw t6« dfreetlons and provisions of 
an act passed in the year 1813, enUtled "an act providing for the permanent 
fixing of the seats of justice in all new counties hereafter to be established." 

Sec. 3. That all suits, plaints, actions and proceedings which may before 



484 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

the said 1st 'lav of February next, have been commenced, instituted, and pend 
ing in the new county of Pike, shall be prosecuted to a final judgment and 
effect in the same manner as if this act had never passed. And whenever the 
seat of justice within the county of Dubois shall have been established, the 
person or persons authorized todfepose of and sell the lots at the seat of justice, 
shall reserve 10 per centum on the net proceeds of the whole sale, for the use of 
a county library in said county, which sum or sums of money shall be paid 
over to puch person as may ])e authorized to receive the same in such manner 
and In such installniL-nts as shall be authorized by law. And until suitable ac- 
commodations can be had in the opinion of the circuit court, at the seat of 
justice of said new county, all the courts of justice of said county shall be 
holden at the house of AViliiam McDaniel, near the "Mud Hole," in said county. 
After which time the circuit courts necessary to be held at the county seat, shall 
be adjourned to the same. And the county commissioners shall within twelve 
months after the site of the said seat of justice shall have been selected, pro- 
ceed to erect the necessary buildings thereon. 

Sec. 4. This act to take effect from and after the 1st day of February 
next. 

This was the law authorizing Dubois County. The name was 
given for Tousaint Dubois, wlio purchased land in the county in 
the eastern part of what is now Boone Township, in the year 
1807. He engaged in the army of Gen. Harrison to crush out 
the Indians then forming a powerful confederacy under Tecum- 
seh. At the battle of Tippecanoe he distinguished himself and 
received the special mention of his general. 

It was proper that the county should be nam 3d for such a man, 
one who had been one of the earliest settlers, and who was not 
afraid to risk his life in defense of the homes of the Indiana 
frontier. 

On the 29th of January, 1818, the Legislg-ture passed another 
act touching Dubois County. It took away all the land within the 
following boundaries and annexed it to Perry County : Beginning, 
at the southeast corner of Township 3 south, Eange ^ wesi, 
thence with the said township line to the line dividing K 
and 4 west ; thence north three miles ; thence east through th 
ter of said township to the line dividing Ranges 2 and 3 west ; 
thence south with the same to the place of beginning. 

On the 17th of January, 1820, Martin County was created out 
of Daviess and Dubois Counties, thus reducing Dubois to about 
its present limits, and with but little change has remained ever 
since. The destruction of the court house on the night of August 
17, 183^, and with it all the county records, has rendered the com- 
^ ilation of this work doubly difficult, as that is usually a large 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUXTY. 487 

source of reliable information that is impossible to supply either 
from tradition or recollection. 

Division info Civil Townships. — At the first division of the 
county into civil townships five were created. Their boundaries 
were changed but little from the following, as stated in an order 
of the county board, after the fire, at the June term. 1S41: 

Harbison. — Beginning at the southwest corner of Section 
10. in Town 1. south of Eange 6 west: running past on said 
line to Patoka Kiver: thence up Patoka to the center line of 
Range 4 : thence due north to TThite Eiver ; thence down TVTiite 
Eiver with the meanders thereof to the center line of Kange 6. 

Bainbridge. — Commencing at the northwest comer of Section 
15: thence running due east to Patoka: thence down Patoka 
with the meanders thereof to Pike County line : thence with said 
Une to the place of the beginning. 

Columbia, — Commencing on White Eiver on the section line 
dividing Sections 21 and 22 : thence south across Patoka to the 
Township line 1 and 2 south to the south part -of Township 1 ; 
thence east to the Crawford County Une to where it strikes the 
Orange County line: thence with said line to the northeast cor- 
ner of Dubois County : thence west to TVldte Eiver : thence down 
White Eiver with the meanders thereof to the place of beginning. 

Hall. — Beginning at the southeast comer of Section 36 on 
the township line dividing Towns 1 and 2, where the same 
strikes the Crawford County line ; thence west to the center line 
of Range 4 : thence south to the Spencer County line ; thence 
with said line to the Crawford County line : thence with said line 
to the place of beginning. 

Patoka. — Beginning on the section line, dividing 9 and 10. 
thence south to the Spencer County line, thence all the territory 
in Dubois County, west of said line, and south of Patoka. 

At the same session of the commissioners, the countv was 
divided into three commissioner districts as follows : First District 
shall be composed of Harbison Township, and all of Columbia 
north of Patoka. The Second District shall be composed of Bain- 
bridge Township, and all the territory west of the old county road 
in Patoka Township. Third District Hall Township, and all Pa- 
toka Township east of the old county road, and all Patoka Town- 
ship south of Patoka. 



488 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Locafion of the County Seat. — The commissioners appointed 
to ^\ the seat of justice, selected the present site of Portersville, 
in Boone Township. This land was purchased from tlie Govern- 
ment by Jacob Lemmon, in the year 1814. It is on the bank of 
the east fork of White Siver, and was no doubt selected partly 
on that account, as the streams were the main outlets for produce 
in the Western country at that time. The location was probably 
obtained through the influence of Arthur Harbison, one of the 
early associate judges of the county, and Jacob Lemmon, both at 
that time prominent in the affairs of the county. It is said that 
John Niblack was the county agent appointed to lay out all 
the lots of the town. The first sale of lots took place in July 
1818, and was largely attended. The lots were sold at a good 
price, and many of them taken. The survey was made by 
Hosea Smith, a resident of Pike County. The act of the Legis- 
lature creating the county, required the county commissioners to 
build the necessary public building at the county seat within one 
year. This they proceeded to do, and during the fall of 1818, a 
two-story log court house was completed, and a little later the jail 
was finished. Everything at the new county seat was prospering, 
and it gave promise of a thriving and enterprising town. There 
were two elements, however, destined to be its overthrow. The 
malaria prevalent along the streams of a new and unsettled coun- 
try is always greater than in later years, when drift and other 
impediments to the flow of the water are removed. All the towns 
along the streams in southern Indiana, suffered much from the 
sickness caused by the sluggish and overflowing water. Some of 
them were almost depopulated, and especially was this so during 
the decade from 1820 to 1830. Portersville was no exception to 
this, and it proved a great drawback to its prospering. Another, 
and perhaps a more influential cause for the removal of the seat 
of justice from this place, was its position. It was situated on the 
extreme northern side of the county, and as the population in- 
creaseil in the southern part a demand was made for a change in 
the location of the county capital. This demand resulted in the 
appointment of another commissioner by the State Legislature to 
change and permanently fix the seat of justice in Dubois County. 
This was probably done at the session of 1829-30. The men 
chosen for this purpose were William Hoggett, Adam Shoemak- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 489 

er, Tlioiiias Vandever, Thomas Cesale and Ebenezer Jones, After 
considering the various places suggested for the new town, the 
present site of Jasper was selected, on the Patoka River. Thus it 
seems tlir<t one of the reasons for changing the county seat, the 
'•ct'*' i' ■ i- p.-'ople. was ignored in the new choice, for no stream 
111 Indiana is more sluggish, ana iJierefore, more unliealtii^. tuaii 
the Patoka. But other considerations had their inHuence. The 
land was donated for the purpose of a county seat as will be seen 
by the following affidavit made after the fire in 1S3',). whereby 
the county records were entirely destroyed. 

'"Simon Morgan, being duly sworn, says that in the year of our 
Lord, 1830, Jacob Enlow and Elizabeth Enlow. his wife, donated 
to William Hoggatt, Adam Shoemaker, Thomas Vandever, Thom- 
as Cesale and Ebenezer Jones, commissioners appointed by the 
Legislature of the State of Indiana to locate the county seat of 
Dubois County, and to receive donations therefor, the following 
tract or parcel of land lying and being in said county of Dubois, 
State aforesaid, to wit: The west half of the northeast quarter 
of Section 35, Township 1 south. Range 5 west, containing eighty 
acres, for and in consideration that the county seat of said county 
was located at this place where the town of Jasper, in said county 
is now situated. * * * That afterward to wit: On the 
night of the 17th of August, 1839, the said deed and the record 
thereof, were wholly destroyed by fire by the burning of the 
clerk's and recorder's office in the town of Jasper, in said coun- 
ty." The record then contains a similar statement concerning a 
tract of six acres oflp of the west part of the east half of the north- 
east quarter of the same section, made by Benjamin Enlow 
and Fanny, his wife, and Jacob Enlow and his wife, Eliz- 
abeth: That these deeds were made in the year 1830, and that 
they were duly recorded by Simon Morgan, then recorder. This 
affidavit was made by Simon Morgan and sworn to before Elisha 
Embree, the circuit court judge. In addition to the donation 
of the land, twelve citizens of the neighborhood bound themselves 
to erect a court house and jail in the town equally as good as 
those at Portersville, free of cost to the county. They did so, and 
the buildings were log, similar to those in the former county 
seat. The jail was built near the present site of the store of 
M. A. Sermersheim & Co., but was afterward moved to the public 



490 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

sqnaiu. No other change occurred until the fire, on the night of 
August 17, 1839. On the first Monday in September following, 
the county board met in regular session. The county commis- 
sioners were Henry Enlow, Robert Oxley and John Donald. 
Simon Morgan was county clerk and also auditor. The record 
shows that the sessions were held at the usual place of holding 
courts. At the November term the circuit court was ordered 
to be held at the house of James H. Condict in Jasper. This 
continued to be the usual place for about one year, when the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church was secured for the purpose. 
This continued to be the court house until the erection of the pres- 
ent building in 1844. In March of that year, Alexander McK. 
Graves was employed to build the foundation, which was com- 
pleted by September. In December, a contract was entered into 
with Rev. Joseph Kundeck to build the court house. George A. 
Lepper, Jacob Jerger and I. S. Martin were appointed a building 
committee to superintend the work on behalf of the county. The 
work went on slowly and trouble arose between the county and 
the contractor, which wJis finally determined by litigation in 
court. In December, 1845, a bell was ordered to cost $50. The 
county board finally received the building in June, 1847. The 
public square was to be fenced in, and the court house "to be 
used for all public meetings such as court houses are usually used 
for." A. S. Blagrave, M. T. Powers and Elijah Cox were county 
commissioners. The total cost of the court house was about 
16,773. 

In March, 1849, Major T. Powers, B. B. Edmonston, and E. 
Stephenson were appointed to superintend the letting and build- 
ing of a county jail, to be twenty-two feet long and 20 feet wide. 
The contract was awarded to M. T. Powers for $1,799.75, and 
William Bretz appointed superintendent on the part of the coun- 
ty. It was built on the northwest corner of the public square, 
and finished in due time to the satisfaction of all parties. 

The Poor Farm. — In 1858 the question as to the propriety of 
buying a county farm for the purpose of maintaining the county 
paupers upon, arose. As a result, the board advertised, in June, 
1859, for a farm. But a difference of opinion on the subject 
caused the purchase to be delayed. At the December term fol- 
loAving, the county auditor was ordered to correspond with other 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 491 

county auditors on the advantage of poor farms to the county. 
Nothing fv : ther Avas done until March, 1861, when the board met 
in special session to [)urchase a farm. Out of several offers made 
to the board, that of E. A. Hochgesang was accepted. The amount 
paid was $1,400; of this $1,000 was paid down, and the balance 
in one year, at per cent, interest. A contract for building a 
poor house was awarded to John Bohart for $408. The building 
was to be 50x16 feet, and a porch on the south side ten feet wide, 
and all to be finished by the first Monday in June following. 
Phillip Sterringer was appointed the first superintendent of the 
Dubois County Poor Asylum. No other buildings of consequence 
were erected by the county until 18()8. 

Xew Couniij Jail, ami Couri House Addiiion. — For several 
years prior to 1868, the grand jury had often returned a report con- 
demning the county jail. In December of that year preparations 
were made for building a new one. Lot No. 142, in the town of 
Jasper, was purchased of Vincent Keller, for $1,200. After the 
required advertising was complied with, E. A. Hochgesang was 
awarded the contract for the brick, stone and plaster work, for 
$2,645, and the wood work to John Miller and George Freidman 
for $975. Adam Schlessinger was appointed superintendent, with 
Henry Lang, assistant. The business of the county had grown 
so rapidly that the old court house was not large enough ; conse- 
quently, in March, 1875, the auditor was ordered to advertise the 
letting of a contract for building an addition to the court house. 
This was done May 24 following, to E. A. Hochcresang, for 
$3,685. The addition comprised about two fifths of the present 
building, and it was finished and completed by the 21)th of No- 
vember, in the same year, and received by the board. 

Creation of New TowiisJups.—At the December term, 1844, 
of the county court, the following order was passed: That a town- 
ship be laid out taking a part of Hall and Patoka Townships, said 
new township to be called Ferdinand Township, and have the 
following boundary, to- wit: Commencing at the northeast corner 
of Section 1, Town 3 south, Eange 4 west; running thence west 
to the dividing line of Ranges 4 and 5 west ; thence south along 
said range line to the southeast corner of Section 13; thence west 
to the northwest corner of Section 22, Town 3 south. Range 5 ; 
thence south to the county line ; thence east on the county line t;> 



492 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

the line between Ranges three and four ; thence north to the place 
of beginning. This composed parts of what are now Jackson and 
Cass Townships. In September, 1845, it was ordered that Pato- 
ka River be the line between Bainbridge and Patoka Townships, 
from a point where the section line dividing Sections 2 and 11, 
Township 2 south. Range 5 west, strikes said river. In Septem- 
ber, 1848, it was ordered that the following boundary shall here- 
after constitute the line dividing Patoka and Bainbridge Town- 
ships, to wit: Commencing at Hall's Creek, where the west line 
of Hall Township crosses said creek, running north and south ; 
thence down said creek to the mouth of said creek; thence down 
said river to the mouth; thence down Patoka River to the Pike 
County line. 

Thus the townships remained until March, 1874, when the 
county board reorganized the county into twelve civil townships. 
Hitherto there had been but six. These townships were named 
and bounded as follows: 

Columbia Township. — Commencing at the northeast corner of 
Section 13, Town 1 north, Range 3 west; thence running west 
to the northwest corner of Section 18, same township and range; 
thence running south to the southwest corner of Section 7, Town 
1 south. Range 3 west; thence running east to the southeast 
corner of Section 12 in last named township and range; thence 
running to the place of beginning. 

Harbison Township, — Commencing at the northeast corner of 
Section 13, Town 1 north, Range 4 west, running thence west 
along the north line of Sections 13, 14 and 15 until the same 
intersects White River ; thence down said river with the meanders 
thereof, to the northwest corner of Section 26, Town 1 north, 
Range 5 west; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 11, 
Town 1 south. Range 5 west; thence east to the southeast corner 
of the southwest quarter of Section 8, Town 1 south. Range 4 
west ; thence north to the southeast corner of the northwest quarter 
of Section 8 in same township and range; thence east to the 
southeast corner of the northwest quarter of Section 12, also in 
the same township and range ; thence north to the place of begin- 
ing. 

Boone Township. — Commencing at the point on White River, 
section line dividing Sections 26 and 27, Town 1 north. Range 5 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 493 

west, and running thence down said White River witli the 
meanders thereof to the line dividing Pike and Dubois Counties; 
thence south to the southwest corner of Section 10, Township 1 
south, Range (3 west ; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 
10. Township 1 south, Range 5 west : thence south to the place of 
beginning. 

Madison Township. — Commencing at the northeast corner of 
Section 17, Town 1 south, Range 5 west, and running thence 
west to the northwest corner of Section 15, Town 1 south, Range 
6 west; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 15, Town 

2 south, Range 6 west; thence east to the southeast corner of 
Section 17, Town 2 south, Range 5 west; thence north to the 
place of beginning. 

Bainbridge Township. — Commencing at the northeast corner 
of Section 18, Town 1 south, Range 4 west; running thence west 
to the northwest corner of Section 16, Town 1 south. Range 5 
west; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 16, Town 2 
south. Range 5 west ; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 
18. Town 2 south. Range 4 west; thence north to the place of 
beginning. 

Marion Township. — Commencing at the northeast corner of 
the southeast quarter of Section 12, Toa;\'ti 1 south. Range 4 west, 
and running thence west to the northwest corner of the southeast 
quarter of Section 8, Town 1 south. Range 4 west; thence south 
to the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of said last 
named section, township and range; thence west to the north- 
west corner of Section 17 of the same township and range; 
thence south to the southwest corner of Section 8, Town 2 
south, Range 4 west; thence east to the southeast corner of Sec- 
tion 12, Town 2 south. Range 4 west ; thence north to the place of 
beginning. 

Hall Township. — Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 
13, Town 1 south. Range 3 west, and running thence west to the 
northwest corner of Section 18 in said township and range; thence 
south to the southwest corner of Section 7, Town 2 south. Range 

3 west; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 12, Town 2 
south, Range 3 west; thence north to the place of beginning. 

Ferdinand Township. — Beginning at the northeast corner of 
Section 7, Town 3 south, Ranore 3 west, and runnino: thence west 



494 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

to the nortiiwest corner of Section 7, Town 3 south, Range 4 
west; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 7 hist 
named ; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 13, Town 
3 south, Range 5 west; thence south to the southwest corner of 
Section 36, Town 3 south, Range 5 west; thence east to the 
southeast corner of Section 36, Town 3 south. Range 4 west; 
thence north to the northeast corner of Section 24, Town 3 south. 
Range 4 west; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 18, 
Town 3 south, Range 3 west ; thence north to the place of begin- 
ning. 

Jefferson Township. — Commencing at the northeast corner of 
Section 13, Town 2 south, Range 3 west, and running thence 
west to the northwest corner of Section 17 of said township and 
range; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 17, Town 
3 south. Range 3 west ; thence east to the southeast corner of Sec- 
tion 13, Town 3 south. Range 3 west; thence north to the place 
of beginning. 

Jackson Township. — Beginning at the northeast corner of 
Section 18, Town 2 south. Range 3 west and running thence west 
to the northwest corner of Section 17, Town 2 south. Range 4 
west; thence south to the southwest corner of said Section 17; 
thence west to the northwest corner of Section 19, Town 2 south. 
Range 4 west; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 
6, Town 3 south. Range 4 west; thence east to the southeast cor- 
ner of Section 6, Town 3 south. Range 3 west; thence north to 
the place of beginning. 

Patoka Township. — Beginning at the northeast corner of Sec- 
tion 24, Town 2 south. Range 5 west, and running thence west to the 
northwest corner of Section 22, Town 2 south, Range 6 west ; thence 
south to the southwest corner of Section 34, Town 2 south, Range 
6 west; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 36 in said 
township and range ; thence south to the southwest corner of Sec- 
tion 7, Town 3 south. Range 5 west; thence east to the southeast 
corner of Section 12, Town 3 south. Range 5 west; thence north 
to the place of beginning. 

Cass Township. — Beginning at the northeast corner of Sec- 
tion 14 and running thence to the northwest corner of Section 18, 
all in Town 3 south, Range 5 west; thence north to the northeast 
corner of Section 1, Town 8 south, Range 6 west; thence west to 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTV. . 495 

the northwest corner of Section 3, Town 3 south, Range 6 west ; 
thence south to the southwest corner of Section 34 of said last 
named township and range ; thence east to the southeast corner of 
Section 35, Town 3 south. Range 5 west; thence north to the 
place of beginning. 

The order for redistricting the county took effect in Septem- 
ber, 1874, and the board appointed officers for all that had none 
after the change took place. 

County Officers. — As near as it is possible to give, the following 
is a list of the officers of Dubois County from the organization 
down to the present time. 

Clerks. — Simon Morgan was the first clerk of Dubois County, 
and together with the office of recorder, he continued to hold it until 
the year 1839. At that time Bazil B. Edmonston was elected to 
both the places, but the election being illegal, Morgan again held 
the offices for a while until Edmonston was again elected, but 
only as clerk. In 1846 he was elected to both places and 
held them until 1852, when the two offices were separated by 
law. He continued to hold the clerk's office until 1860, when 
Henry Holthaus was elected. Since then the various clerks with 
the dates of their election have been as follows: B. B. Edmon- 
ston, 1868; P. J. Gossman, 1876; Mr. Green, 1884. 

Recorders. — Simon Morgan, 1818 to 1846; Bazil B. Edmon- 
ston, 1846 to 1852; J. B. Pfaff, 1852; Stephen Jerger, 1856; 
August Litschgi, 1862; George J. Jutt, 1870; John G. Lemmon, 
1878, and Neninan Hoskins, 1882. 

Treasurers. — The names of the early treasurers are uncer- 
tain. Dominick Erny, 1852; Edward Stephenson, 1854; B. R. 
L. Nichaus, 1858; Theodore Sonderman, 1860; Edward Stephen- 
son, 1863; William Bretz, 1867; Edward Stephenson, 1872, 
James E. Spurlock, 1874; Ignatz .Eckert, 1878; William H. 
Bretz, 1882. 

Surveyors. — Gamaliel Garretson, 1830; Jacob Warndt, 1852; 
B. R. Kemp, 1856; William Sandusky, 1862; Arthur Berry, 
1868; W. R. Osborn, 1872; William B. Porkle, 1874; Frank 
Turtle, 1876; Henry Bugan, 1878 ; Michael Wilson, 1882, and 
George R. Wilson, 1884. 

Sheriffs. — Adam Hope, 1818; Thomas Hope, ; Joseph. 

Clarkson, — ; William Edmonston, 1824; Daniel Harris, 1828* 



496 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

B. B. E'lmonston, 1832; John Hart, 188(); James McDonald, 
18B7; Thomas Wooldridge, 1841; H. W. Baker, 1843; Rohort 
Herr, 1847; William Mabin, 1849; John Mehringer, 1852; Jacoo 
Harmon, 185(]; John Wiekel, ISGO; Henry Mauntel, 18«)4; Tobias 
Herbig, 1808; John mekel, 1872; George Cox, 1870; Frank 
Joseph, 1880; George Cox, 1884. 

Coro7wrs.—'D. G. Brown, 1824; John Brittain, 1830; Elijah 
Kendall, 1832; Abraham Baker, 1839; Joseph Buggs, 1845; 
Willis Niblack, 1840; Thomas Hurst, 1840; Stephen Stephen- 
son, 1851; William H. Green, 1852; William Schulterman, 1850; 
J. W. Taylor, 1800; Charles Kraus, 1801; Harvey Nicholson, 
1863; John G. Allen, 1804; Reinhart Rich, 1800; Charles Birke- 
myer, 1808; George Cox, 1870; Michael Hochgesang, 1870; 
Anton Kerlin, 1880; Moritz Fritz, 1884. 

Associate Judges. — B. B. Edmonston, Sr., and Ashbury Alex- 
ander, 1824; Edward Wood, 1830; John Niblack, 1831; Daniel 
Harris, 1835; Henry Bradley and Willis Hays, 1837; Robert 
Oxley, 1841; William Cavender and Thomas Shoulders, 1845; 
Conrad Miller, 1850. 

Probate Judges. — B. B. Edmonston, Sr., 1829; Daniel Har- 
ris, 1840; Moses Kelso, 1841; Andrew B. Spicely, 1848. 

Auditors. — Samuel B. McCrillus, 1852; John Mehringer, 
1856; Theodore Sonderman, 1803; Martin Freidman, 1867; 
August Litschgi, 1870; Michael Deinderfer, 1874; Isidor Schuh- 
macher, 1878. 

Representatives. — Richard Daniel and John Johnson, Gibson, 
and Pike Counties, 1818; William McMahan, Spencer, Perry and 
Dubois, January, 1825 ; John Daniel, same, December, 1825 ; John 
Johnson, Pike and Dubois, 1820-27; James Ritchie, same, 1828; 
Thomas C. Stewart, same, 1829-30-31; George H. Proffit, same, 
1832; William M. Wright, 1883-34; Benjamin Edmonston, same, 
1835; G. H. Proffit, same, 1830; Aaron B. McCrillus, Dubois and 
Crawford, 1837 ; George H. Proffit, Pike and Dubois, 1838 ; Ben- 
jamin Edmonston, 1839; Aaron B. McCrillus, Dubois and Pike, 
1840; John Poison, Dubois, 1841; Benjamin Edmonston same, 
1843; Silas Davis, 1844; George W. Lemonds, 1845-46-47; B. 
T. Goodman, 1848; B. Edmonston, 1848-49; H. W. Barker, 
1849-53; John Abel, 1853; John S. Martin, 1855; Thomas 
Shoulders, 1857; B. R. Kempf, 1863; B. B. Edmonston, 1867; 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 497 

Leroy Cave, Dubois and Martin, 1869 ; E. C. Stephenson, ^ame, 
1871; H. A. Peed, same, 1873; A. J. Gossman, same, 1875-77; 
Mr. Hart, same, 1879 ; Samuel Hargrove, Pike and Dubois, 1881 ; 
Morman Fisher, same, 1883. 

Senators. — Isaac Montgomery, for the district composed of 
Gibson, Pike and Dubois Counties, 1818; Daniel Robb, same, 
1820-21; John Daniel, Dubois, Spencer and Perry, 1822; Daniel 
Grass, same, December, 1822; Daniel Edwards, same, 1823; 
Daniel Grass, same, 1825; Isaac Montgomery, Gibson, Pike 
and Dubois, 1826-27; Daniel Eobb, same, 1829-32; Elisha 
Embree, same, 1833-34; Thomas C. Stewart, same, 1835-37; 
John Hargrave, same, 1838-40; Smith Miller, same, 1841-44; 
1844; Benjamin R. Edmonston, same, 1845-47; Smith Mil- 
ler, 1848-49; B. T. Goodman, same, 1850; William Hawthorn, 
same, 1855; John Hargrave, same, 1857-59; Thomas Shoulders, 
1861-63; James Barker, same, 1865-67; Aaron Houghton, Pike, 
Dubois and Martin, 1869; Leroy Cave, Dubois and Martin, 1871; 
H. A: Peed, Dubois, Martin and Orange, 1875; William A. Tay- 
lor, same, 1879 ; William Traylor, Dubois, Martin and Lawrence, 
1881. 

Railroads. — For nearly twenty years the question of railroads 
has been before the people of Dubois County. The agitation of 
it began soon after the close of the war, and in 1869, several 
propositions were on foot for the construction of that indispensa- 
ble thing to our modern civilization. The most plausible of them 
all was that of the New Albany & St. Louis Air Line. In Sep- 
tember of that year, Patoka Township held an election to deter- 
mine whether it should aid that road to the extent of $10,780, by 
a tax of two per centum. The result was 257 votes for, and 20 
against the tax. In November of the same year, an election was 
held throughout the entire county upon the subject of a county tax 
to the amount of $53,105, in aid of the same road, providing it 
should run within one-half mile of Jasper. This latter proposition 
was opposed by the entire southern portion of the county, al- 
most unanimously. The vote at that election is here given, but it 
must be remembered that the county then had but six instead 
of twelve townships. 



498 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

T'^WNSHIP. FOR. AGAINST. 

Columbia 18 149 

Harbison 70 10:3 

Bainbridge 380 '23 

Hall 58 295 

Patoka 4 525 

Ferdinand 334 

Totals 530 1.339 

In June, 1871, the railroad company demanded of the county 
board $7,000 of the tax collected in Patoka Township, according 
to the first election. The board refused to grant the request at 
that time, but in March, 1873, stock to the amount of $6,000 was 
taken in behalf of the township. 

In June, 1881, an election was held in Jackson Township to 
decide whether that township should aid the same road by a tax. 
A. vote of 130 to 48 decided against it. After much trouble and 
vexation the road was finally completed across the county in the 
early part of 1882. In consequence ITuntingburgh has grown to 
be the first town in the county in a business point of view. 

In the meantime the Cincinnati, Rockport & Southwestern 
had been agitating the railway question and had felt the public 
pulse in reference to aid by taxation. Bainbridge Township 
alone gave to aid this road more than $20,000, and individuals 
took $17,800 of stock, and even then the construction was com- 
pleted under discouragement. However the task was finally ac- 
complished, and the first train came to Jasper on the evening of 
February 14, 1879. Although the weather was stinging cold, a 
large crowd assembled at the depot to welcome the first " iron 
horse" and accord it the freedom of the city. The brass band 
was out and discoursed appropriate music. Martin Friedman 
gave the depot lot and others gave materials and labor to erect 
the building free of cost to the company. 

Agricidiural Society. — Early in the sixties a fair association 
was organized and one or two exhibitions held, but the excitement 
that everywhere existed and the uncertainty of affairs, arising 
from the war, soon brought about its abandonment. In October, 
1872, another fair was held. The association was organized early 
in the year and was known as the Dubois County Agricultural 
Society. The officers were O. F. Hobbs, president ; R. M. Wel- 
man, vice-president ; John Gramelspacher, secretary ; William 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 499 

A. Traylor, treasurer. The directors were Simon Bixler, Har- 
bison Township; Joseph Striegle, Hall Township; A. J. Gossman, 
Columbia Township; J. Woekbenberg, Ferdinand Township; 
Mormon Fisher, Patoka Township; Thomas Herbig, Bainbridge 
Township; Jesse Traylor, John P. Norman and Samuel Dillon, 
Jr., directors at large and Sebastian Kuebler, general superin- 
tendent. The first fair was held October 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, 
1872, upon the grounds near Jasper. A balloon ascension was 
one of the prominent features. The display was good and the 
entries numbered 300. The receipts amounted to $1,400 and the 
expenses $1,200, leaving a balance of $200 in the treasury after 
the premiums were paid. The society continued to hold annual ex- 
hibitions for several years but it is now abandoned. 

Election Beiurns.— From almost the earliest time the Democ- 
racy has been largely in the majority in the county. During the 
latter part of the thirties the Whigs came near being equal in 
number, but at the Presidential election in 1840, the Democratic 
ticket received a good majority, and has ever since retained it. 
A number of the old election papers could not be found. At the 
Presidential election of 1860, the result was as follows: 

NOVEMBER, 1860. 

NORTHERN SOUTHERN 
REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. DKMOCRAT. UNION. 

TOWNSHIPS. Lincoln Douglas Breckenrldge Bell 

and and and and 

Hamlin. Johnson. Lane. Everett. 

Bainbridge 87 318 

Patoka 82 



82 320 

Columbia 23 125 

Hall 49 174 

Ferdinand i 253 

Harbison so 



59 157 

Totals 301 1347 

NOVEMBER, 1868. 



20 



REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRAT. 

Grant and Seymour and 



TOWNSHIPS. 

Colfax. "Blair. 

Bainbridge 97 435 

Patoka 157 

Ferdinand I5 

Harbison 9q 

Hall ........[.... 73 

Columbia rq 



483 
363. 
215 
302 
198 



Totals 501 



500 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COLWTY. 



X0YEMI5EI!. 1S72. 

DEMOCRAT. REPUnUCA^" 

TO\vNsiiii-s. (irr-eley (iran 

and Hrowu. and Wilson. 

Bainhridge ;5s5 130 

Patoka 4-,'() 188 

Ferdinand ,",10 13 

Harbison 2(H) 111 

Hall 281 73 

Columbia 174 75 

Totals 1776 590 



NOVEMBER. 1870. 

DEMOCRAT. 

TOWNSHIPS. Tildcn and 

Hendricks. 

Bainbridge 371 

Columbia 81 

Harbison 188 

Boone 90 

Madison 1 03 

Marion 175 

Hall 175 

Jefferson 134 

Jackson 211 

Patoka 381 

Cass 193 

Ferdinand 340 

Totals 3333 



RKPUBLICAN 

Hayes and 
Wilson. 



33 

114 

133 

4 

35 



4 
141 
105 



NOVEMBER, 1880. 

DEMOCRAT. 

TOWNSHIPS. Hancock and 

English. 

Bainbridge 423 

Columbia 96 

Harbison 208 

Boone 116 

Madison 97 

Marion 178 

Hall 218 

Jefferson 137 

Jackson 309 

Patoka 370 

Cass 193 

Ferdinand 357 

Totals 3500 



REPUBLICAN. 

Garfield and 
Arthur. 

41 
100 

34 

136 

141 

9 

54 

88 

13 
145 
134 



900 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 501 

NOVEMBER, 1884. 

DEMOCRAT. KEPUBLICAN. 

TOWNSHIPS. Cleveland and Blaine and 

Hendricks. Logan. 

Bainbridge 443 33 

Columbia 121 79 

Harbison 205 82 

Boone 131 139 

Madison 101 129 

Marion / 182 8 

• Hall 198 57 

Jefferson.. / 213 183 

Jackson 109 30 

Patoka 355 187 

Cass 196 134 

Ferdinand 339 7 - 

Totals 2712 1018 

STATE OFFICERS. 

Arthur St. Clair, governor of the Territory of the United 
States northwest of the Ohio, October 5, 1787, to July 4, 1800. 

Governors of Indiana Territory. — William Henry Harrison, 
from July 5, 1800, to 1812; John Gibson, acting governor from 
1812 to 1813; Thomas Posey, from March 3, 1813, to November 
7, 1816. 

Governors of the State of Indiana. — Jonathan Jennings, from 
November 7, 1816, to December 4, 1822; William Hendricks,, 
from December 4, 1822, to February 12, 1825 ; James B. Bay,, 
from December 7, 1825, to December 7, 1831 ; Noah Noble, from 
December 7, 1831, to December 6, 1837; David Wallace from 
December 6, 1837, to December 9, 1840; Samuel Bigger, from 
December 9, 1840, to December 6, 1843; James Whitcomb, from 
December 6, 1843, to December 26, 1848 ; Paris C. Dunning, 
acting-governor, from December 26, 1848, to December 6, 1849; 
Joseph A. Wright, from December 6, 1849, to January 5, 1857; 
Ashbel P. Willard; Abram A. Hammond; Henry S. Lane, a few 
days in January, 1860; Oliver P. Morton, acting, from 1860, to 
to January 12, 1865; Oliver P. Morton from January 12, 1865, to 
January 12, 1867; Conrad Bak^r, acting, from 1867 to 1869; 
Conrad Baker, from 1869 to 1873; Thomas A. Hendricks, from 
1873 to 1877; James D. Williams, from 1877 to 1881; Albert G. 
Porter, from 1881 to 1883; Isaac P. Gray, from 1883 to . 



502 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

TJndenani Governors.— Ghrisio])her Harrison, from 1816 to 
December 17, 1818; Batliff Boone, from 1819 to 1824; Jamo« B 
Ray, acting, from 1824 to 1825; Jolm H. Thompson, from 1825 
to 1828; Milton Stapp, from 1828 to 1831; David Wallace, from 
1831 to 1837; David Hillis, from 1837 to 1840; Samuel Hall, 
from 1840 to 1843; Jesse D. Bright, from 1843 to 1845; God- 
love S. Orth, acting, 1845; James G. Bead, acting 1846; Paris C. 
Dunning, from 1846 to 1848; James G. Bead, 1849; James H. 
Lane, from 1849 to 1853; Ashbel P. WiUard, from 1853 to 1857; 
ALrum A. Hammond, from 1857 to 1859; John B. Cravens, acting, 
from 1S5M to 18()3; Paris C. Dunning, acting, from 1863 to 1865; 
Conrad Baker, from 18(55 to 1867; Will Cumback, from 1867 to 
1869 ; Will Cumback, from 1869 to 1863 ; Leonidas Sexton, from 
1873 'to 1877 ; Isaac P. Gray, from 1877 to 1881 ; Thomas Warner, 

from 1881 to 1883; Mahlon D. Manson, from 1883 to . 

Secrefariesof State— John Gibson, Territorial, from 1800 to 
1816; Bobert A. New, from 1816 to 1825; W. W. Wick, from 
1825 to 1829; James Morrison, from 1829 to 1833; William 
Sheets, from 1833 to 1837; William J. Brown, from 1837 
to 1841; William Sheets, from 1841 to 1845; John H. 
ThompsoL, from 1845 to 1849; Charles H. Test, from 1849 
to 1853; Nehemiah Hayden, from 1853 to 1855; Erasmus 
B Collins, 1855 to 1857; Daniel McClure, from 1857 to 
1858; Cyrus L. Dunham, from 1858 to 1859; Daniel McClure, 
from 1859 to 1861'; William A. Peele, from 1861 to 1863; James 
S Anthon, from 1863 to 1865; Nelson Trusler, from 1865 tp 
1869; Max R A. Hoffman, from 1869 to 1871; Norman Eddy, 
from 1871 to 1872; John H. Earquhar, from 1872 to 1873; W. 

W Curry, from 1873 to 1874; John E. Neff, from 1874 to 

John P. Shanklin, from 1879 to 1881; E. B. Hawn, from 1881 
to 1883; William B. Meyers, 1883 to 1885. 

Auditors of State.— -WiWmm H. LiUey, from 1816 to 1829; 
Morris Morris, from 1829 to 1844; Horatio J. Harris, from 1844 
to 1847 ; Douglas McGuire, from 1847 to 1850. E. W. H. Ellis, 
from 1850 to 1853; John P. Dunn, from 1853 to 1855; Hiram E. 
Talbot, from 1855 to 1857; John W. Dodd, from 1857 to 1860; 
Albert Lange, from 1861 to 1863; Joseph Bistine, from 1863 
to 1865; Thomas B. McCarty, from 1865 to 1869; John D. 
Evans, from 1869 to 1871; John C. Shoemaker, from 1871 to 



HISTOKV OF DUBOIS COUNTV. 505 

1873; Jan.es A. Wil,l,„„„, from 1«7:! to 1874; Ebenezer Hen- 

L. H. A\„lfe. f,„„. ISM to ISSH; J. H. Rice, from 1SS3 to 

T-.r,,.^,,-,,-. „/• .S7„fe-D„„iel C. Lane, from ISK! to 1823; 
Samuel Men, 11 h,:.,„ 1823 to 1833; Natimn B. Palmer, from 
1830 to 1841; George H. D„„n, from 1841 to 1844; Royal May- 
hew^ from 1844 to 1847; 8amuel Han.a, from 1847 to 1850; J 
f„°™!f- ^"^ 1^^«' *° 1833; Elijah Newla«d, from 1858 to 
1800, Walham B. Nofismger, from 1855 to 18^7; Aquilla Jones, 
from 18„7 to 18o9; Nathaniel P. Cunningham, from 1859 tcl 
Is •■^' ; ^•J-"™?'/™'" ^"''1 *" 1*«3' Matthen- L. Brett, from 
tl V- \ u\ ^- '^^"'•"'''"' f™-" 1«"5 to 1867; Na- 

han K^ball. from 1867 to 1871; James B. Ryan, from 1871 
o 18 3; John B Glover, from 1873 to 1875; B. C. Shaw, from 

, Toe ' " Fleming, from 1879 to 1881; R. S Hill 

from 1881 to 1883 ; John J, Cooper, from 1883 to — 

T p'M"n''''"'n"r''-^™'' *^°"''''°"' f™" March 5, 1855; 
J^ E. McDonald, from December 17, 1837; J. G. Jones, from 
December I,, 18o9; John P Usher, from November 10, 1861; 
Oscar B. Hord, from November 3, 1862; D. E. Williamson 

«>m November 3^1864; Bayliss W. Hanna, from NovIXl; 
18.0; James G Denny, from November 6, 1872; Clarence A 

Tmv '°.^°^-«™''«';' 18«»; Daniel O. Baldwin, from 1881 to 
1883; Francis T. Hord, from 1883 to 

183f."TT f,""'/"^';™« C'o»rf-James Scott, from 1816 to 

816'to 183i t" .,?: ''"'■ *° ""' '■ ^- Hol-an, from 
181(, o 1831; Isaac Blackford, from 1817 to 1853; S. C. Stevens 
fron, 1831 to 1836; J, T. McKinney. from 1831 to 1837; ChaZ 
Dewey from 1836 to lf*47; Jeremiah Sullivan, from 1837 to 1846 

mTt l^r^l' '"" '''' *" ''''■' "— L. Smith, from 
184, to 18o3; Andrew Davidson, from 1853 to 1865; William L 
Stewart, from 1803 to 1857; Addison L. Roaehe, from 1853 To 

8o'4'to;837 T ™'/T"""'-*°''''*^ «• ^- «-l^'-. fr°- 

James MH ' ^^°''''"' ""P^"'"'"^ ^^"■^ l^'^S *» 1865; 

James M Hanna. appointed, from 1858 to 1865; Charles A Ray 
from I860 to 1871; John P. Elliott, from 1865 to 187 ; Jame^ 

1871 , James L. ^^ orden. from 1871 to ; Alex C. Downey, from 



50(1 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

1S71 to — -: Samuel H. ]]uskirk, from ISTl to—- iJ.^lin I'-rtit, 

from L^li. to ; Aiulicw L. Osbori). from 1^7■J t«> : 

Horace P. Biddle, from lsT4 to ; Samuel K. rt'vkius; 

George Y. Howk: William E. Xi])laek; William A. Wo.i.lri; 
Byron K. Elliott: AUeu Zolhirs. 

Cniicd Sfdlc^ ,SV'y/a/f>/-.s'.-- James Noble, from l^ll; t.. 1^:51: 
Waller Taylor, from ISK; to lS'i5: William Heudrieks. fr.-m 
1825 to 1837; Eobert Hamia, a[)[)oiiite(l ls;U ; John Tipton. 
from 1831 to 183'J; Oliver H. Smith, from ls;57 to 1S4;}: Ail.rrt 
S. White, from 18:V.» to l-S-l-o: Edward A. Hamiegau. from l^Ui 
to 1841); Jesse D. Bright, from 1S45 to 18()1; James AVhitr-omb. 
from 1849 to 1852; Charles W. Catlicart, appointeil. from l^•'2 to 
1853; John Pettit, frcmi 1853 to 1857; Graham N. Fitch, from 
1857 to 18()1; Joseph A. Wright, from 1801 to 1803: Henry S. 
Lane, from I8t)l to 18()7; David Turpie, 1803; Thomas A. 
Hendricks, from 180)3 to 1S0)<); Oliver P. Morton, from 1S07 to 
1877; Daniel D. Pratt, from 18()1) to 1875; Joseph E. McDonald, 
1875; Daniel W. Yoorhees, Benjamin Harrison. 

Territoridl Dchu/alcs. — AVilliam H. Harrison, delegate from 
the Territory northwest of the Ohio Kiver; resigned in 1800, 
succeeded by William McMillan, who took his seat November 
24, 1800. 

Indiana Territory. — Benjamin Parke, December 12. 1805, 
resigned in 1808; succeeded by Jesse B. Thomas, who took his 
seat December 1, 1808. Jcmathan Jennings, November 27. 1801). 

REPRESEISTATIVES IN "CONGRESS. 

1817-22.— William Hendricks. 

1822-24. — Jonathan Jennings. 

1823-25. — Jonathan Jennings, William Prince, John Test and 
Jacob Call. 

1825-27. — Katlifif Boon, Jonathan Jennings, John Test. 

1827-29. — Thomas H. Blake, Jonathan Jennings, Oliver H. 
Smith. 

1829-81. — Ratliff Boon, Jonathan Jennings, John Test. 

1881-83.— Ratliff Boon, John Carr, Jonathan McCarty. 

1833-85. — Ratliff Boon, John Carr, John Ewing, Jonathan 
McCarty. 

18^5-37.— Ratliff Boon, John Carr, John W. Davis, Edward 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 507 

A. Hannegan, William Herod, George «L. Kinnard, Amos Lane. 
JonathaD McCarty. 

1837-39.— RatliflP Boon, George H. Dunn, John Ewing, Will- 
iam Graham, William Herod, James Rariden, Albert S. White. 

1839-41. — John Carr, John W. Davis, Tilghman A. Howard, 
Henry S. Lane, George H. Proffit, James Rariden, Thomas Smith, 
William W. Wick. 

1841-43. — James H. Cravens, Andrew Kennedy, Henry S.. 
Lane, George H. Proffit, Richard W. Thompson, David Wallace,. 
Joseph L. AVhite. 

1843-45. -William J. Brown, John W. Davis, Thomas J. 
Henley, Andrew Kennedy, Robert Dale Owen, John Pettit, Sam- 
uel C. Sample, Caleb B. Smith, Thomas Smith, Joseph A. 
Wright. 

1845-47.— Charles W. Cathcart, John W. Davis, Thomas J. 
Henley, Andrew Kennedy, Edward W. McGaughey, Robert D. 
Owen, John Pettit, Caleb B. Smith, Thomas Smith, William W. 
Wick. 

1847-49.— Charles W. Cathcart, George G. Dunn, Elisha 
Embree, Thomas J. Henley, John Pettit, John L. Robinson, 
William Rockhill, Caleb B. Smith, Richard W. Thompson, Will- 
iam W. Wick. 

1849-51. — Nathaniel Albertson, William J. Brown, Cyrus L. 
Dunham, Graham N. Fitch, Willis A. Gorman, Andrew J. Har- 
lan, George W. Julian, Joseph E. McDonald, Edward W. Mc- 
Gaughey, John L. Robinson. 

1851-53. — Samuel Brenton, John G. Davis, Cyrus L. Dun- 
ham, Graham N. Fitch, Willis A. Gorman, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
James Lockhart, Daniel Mace, Samuel W. Parker, John L. Rob- 
inson. 

1853-55. — Ebenezer M. Chamberlain, John G. Davis, Cyrus 
L. Dunham, Norman Eddy, William H. English, Andrew J. Har- 
lan, Thomas A. Hendricks, James H. Lane, Daniel Mace, Smith 
Miller, Samuel W. Parker. 

1855-57. — Lucien Barbour, Samuel Brenton, Schuyler Colfax, 
William Cumback, George G. Dunn, William H. English, David 
P. Holloway, Daniel Mace, Smith Miller, John U. Pettit, Harvey 
D. Scott. 

1857-59. — Charles Case, Schuyler Colfax, John G. Davis, 



508 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTV. 

William H. Eiiirlisli, Jaincs ]]. Foley, Jarnt's M. (hv<^r^^ JauK^s 
Hui^^lirs. J>Hvi(l Kil.i^^oiv. William K. Xil)l;u-k, John ['. Pcttit. 
James "Wilson. 

ISr/.l (')!.- -Charles Case, Schu_vl(>r Colfax. John (J. l):-:vis. 
William M. Ditmi, AVilliam H. Kiii^rlisl,. William S. Holinan. 
David Kil<,^)re. William E. Nihlark. John I'. Pettit. Ainert (1. 
Porter, James Wilson. 

1S()1 ())). — Schuyler Colfax, James A. Cravens, W. Mclvec 
Dunn. William S. Holmaii, Geori^^e W. Julian, John Law, Will- 
iam Mitchell, Albert G. Porter, John P. C. Shanks, Daniel W. 
Voorhees, Albert S. AVliite. 

18()3-()5. — Schuyler Colfax, James A. (h-avens, Ebenezer Du- 
raont, Jose})li K. Edgertoii, Henry W. Harrini^to)!, William S. 
Holman, George W. Julian, John Law, James E. McDowell. 
Godlove S. Orth, Daniel W. Voorhees. 

18(55-07. — Schuyler Colfax, Joseph H. Defrees, Ebenezer 
Duniont, John H. Farquhar, Ptalph Hill, George AV, Julian, 
Michael C. Kerr. William E. Niblack, Godlove S. Orth, Thomas 
N. Stillwell, Dani(d AV. Voorhees, Henry D. AVashburn. 

18()7-()<J.— John Coburu, Schuyler Colfax, AVilliara S. Hol- 
man, Morton C. Hunter, George AV. Julian, Michael C. Kerr, 
William E. Niblack, Godlove S. Orth, John P. C. Shanks, Henry 
D. AVashburn, AVilliam Williams. 

1869-71.— John Cobvu-n, William S. Holman, George AV. 
Julian, Michael C. Kerr, William E. Niblack, Godlove S. Orth, 
Jasper Packard, John P. C. Shanks, James N. Tyner, Daniel AV. 
Voorhees, AVilliam Williams. 

1871-73. — John Coburn, AVilliam S. Holman, Michael C. 
Kerr, Mahlon D. Manson, William E. Niblack, Jasper Packard, 
John P. C. Shanks, James N. Tyner, Daniel AV. Voorhees, AVill- 
iam Williams, Jeremiah M. AVilson. 

1873-75.— Thomas J. Cason, John Coburii, AVilliam S. Hol- 
man, Morton C. Hunter, AVilliam E. Niblack, Godlove S. Orth, 
Jasper Packard, Henry B. Sayler, John P. C. Shanks, James N. 
Tyner, William Williams, Jeremiah M. AVilson, Simeon K. 
Wolfe 

1875-T7.— John H. Baker, Nathan T. Carr, Thomas J. Cason, 
James It £van8 Benoni S. Fuller, Andrew H. Hamilton, William 
S. Haymond^, AiV. B. Holman, Andrew Humphreys, Morton C. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 509 

Hunter, Michael C. Kerr, Franklin Landers, Jeptha D. New, Mil- 
ton S. Robinson, James D. Williams. 

1877-79.— John H. Baker, George A. Bicknell, Thomas M. 
Browne, William H. Calkins, Thomas K. Cobb, James L. Evans, 
B. S. Fuller, A. H. Hamilton, John Hanna, M. C. Hunter, M. S. 
Robinson, Leonidas Sexton, M. D. White. 

1879-81.— William Heilman, Thomas R. Cobb, George A. 
Bicknell, Jeptha D. New, Thomas M. Browne, William R. Myers, 
Gilbert De La Matyr, Abraham J. Hostetter, Godlove S. Orth, 
William H. Calkins, Calvin Cowgill, Walpole G. Colerick, John H. 
Baker. 

1884-85.— John F. Kleiner, Thomas R. Cobb, Strother M. 
Sockslager, AV. S. Holman, C. C. Matson, T. M. Brown, S. J. 
Peelle, J. E. Lamb, T. B. Ward, T. F. Wood, G. W. Steele, 
Robert Loury, W. H. Calkins. 



CHAPTER IV. 

History or the Bench and Bar— The Early Court Practi- 
tioners— The First Trials— Professional Character of Judges 
AND Attorneys— Murder and other Important Cases— Courts 
Under the new Constitution— Comparison of Practices— Pro- 
bate AND Common Pleas Courts. 

BEYOND the year 1839 there is no record left to tell what 
course iustice pursued in the litigation that occurred. 
Whatever his -ory has been obtained concerning the courts and 
attorneys prior to that time must be read with the remembrance 
that it was drawn from recollections and from tradition. In 
accordance with the act of the Legislature creating the county, 
the first court was held at the house of William McDonald in Au- 
gust, 1818. It was the circuit court and had as president judge, 
Jonathan Doty, One of his associates was Arthur Harbison. The 
first clerk was Simon Morgan, a position he continued to fill until 
the year 1839. Adam Hope was the first sheriff. Thus was the first 
court of Dubois County constituted. It is said that Judge Doty 
held but one term. The circuit court was one having cognizance 



-510 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

of both civil and criminal causes, The same judge would hold a 
number of these courts in the various counties, and for that 
reason it was called the circuit. No more than one term was 
probably held at the house of McDonald, for the log court house 
at Portersville was built in the summer of 1818 and the county 
business conducted at that place. Among the early attorneys, 
Eichard Daniels, Davis Floyd, James K E. Goodlet, Samuel 
Hall and Thomas H. Blake were prominent. These men lived in 
the different counties throughout the southwestern part of the 
State and were nearly as regular in attendance upon the various 
courts of the circuit as the judges themselves. All of them be- 
came at some time judges of their districts. Others were John 
Pletcher, John H. Thompson, Ebenezer McDonald, Jacob Cald, 
George R. C. Sullivan, William Prince and David Raymond. 
Some of these had already been judges in some of the early ju- 
dicial districts of the State. Among these names of attorneys 
some appear who were already leaders in both law and politics 
for the new commonwealth, and became well known throughout 
the State. Thomas H. Blake was one of the most widely known 
lawyers of southern Indiana, where he practiced in almost every 
county. He became a circuit judge, and his name appears " for 
the plaintiff " in the first case reported in the supreme court. In 
1839 he was a candidate for the United States Senate, but was 
defeated by Albert S. White. Richard Daniel had been judge 
of the First Judicial Circuit. Davis Floyd had represented 
Clark County in the Territorial Legislature of 1805, and Har- 
rison County in the constitutional convention of 1816 and after- 
ward became circuit judge. William Prince was an old resi- 
dent of Knox County and enjoyed a high reputation as a man of 
ability and integrity. He was judge for a time of his circuit. 
David Raymond was another able judge and skillful lawyer. 
It is probable that Richard Daniel was the next man to hold 
court in Dubois County as he was the regular judge of the Fourth 
Judicial Circuit of which the county was a part. In 1819 or 1820 
James R. E. Goodlett came to the circuit bench and continued to 
occupy it until 18^2^ He had already become known throughout 
this portion of the State. Before that, it is said, he had been a 
resident of Paoli in Orange County for several years. He must 
have changed his residence. In his practice he was neither 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 511 

ready nor brilliant, two qualities necessary in a successful jhIvo- 
cate. On the contrary, he was slow and formed his opinions only 
upon mature deliberation. This quality made him a i,^(xid coun- 
selor and served him to the best advantage as a judge. As a 
practitioner he could never have been eminent, ])ut as a judge he 
was in his proper sphere. In 1832 Hon. Samuel Hall was com- 
missioned jutlge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit by Gov. Noah 
Noble. 

An action that was common in the early days was for the pur- 
pose of establishing a dam on the creeks with the object of erect- 
ing mills. A writ of ad quod damnum would be directed to the 
sheriff of the county, ordering him to summon a jury to meet at 
the site of the proposed dam, and inquire into the situation of the 
creek, and report whether it would work a public or private in- 
convenience to erect a dam on the stream, and, if any damage, 
wliat and I:ow much, and to whom. Upon a favorable report the 
court would grant permission to erect the dam, and it was thus 
that a "mill seat" was established. Divorce cases were not long 
in finding their way into courts. It seems that the marital rela- 
tions were no more pleasant than many find them in these later 
days, but "'twas ever thus." Another class of cases that occu- 
pied muck time of the courts in early years were actions for 
slander. These were often brought in the form of '-trespass on 
the case," in accordance with the early methods of practice, and 
agreeable to the forms of the common law then in full force in 
this State. An occasional verdict for large damages was awarded, 
but the general run of the verdicts was for nominal damages, or 
in favor of the defendant. The dockets were filled with cases of 
covenant, trover, assault and battery, foreign attaclnnent. debt, 
larceny, ejectment, assumpsit, bastardy, adultery, passing coun- 
terfeit money, perjury, forgery and an occasional murder trial. 

Other attorneys that took prominent rank during the decades 
of tiie tAventies and thirties were John i.aw, John Pitcher, John 
Mclntire, Reuben Kidder, Cliarlos Dcuoy, John A. Bracken- 
ridge. A. J. Simpson. Eben D. EJson. !']lij,di Bell. Elias Terry, 
Jolm Engle and L. Q. DeBrulor. J(,lm Eaw wns a good lawyer, 
and was at one time a member of Congress. Bitcher was a resi- 
dent (tf Rockport. and a brilliant attorney. He coidinn.'d to 
practice for many years, and is now living in Mount Vernon, 



512 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Posey County. Mclntire was an early attorney at Petersburg, 
while Kidder, Simpson and Dewey were from Paoli. The last was 
one of the ablest lawyers of southern Indiana. Brackenridge lived 
at Boonville, and was probably the foremost attorney ever a resi- 
dent of Warrick County. Edson and Engle each filled the ofiice 
of prosecuting attorney. Elias Terry was a citizen of Washing- 
ton, and did a large practice at the Dubois County bar. He was 
a man of marked ability, and was associated with Lemuel Q. 
DeBruler, who lived in Jasper, and was at that time rapidly com- 
ing into prominence as one of the ablest pleaders in this portion 
of the State. 

Judge Hall remained upon the bench until the fall of 1835. 
At that time Charles I. Battell was appointed to the place, but 
he filled it only a short time. In the following spring Hon. 
Elisha Embree took his seat as president judge. He ^/as a man 
of more than ordinary ability, and of the strictest integrity. He 
continued to occupy this position for several years, and was after- 
ward elected to Congress. It was during the term of Judge 
Embree that the destruction of the county records occurred, in 
August, .1839. At the next term a considerable part of the records 
.was perpetuated by the affidavit of different persons. This was 
mostly concerning titles to land. The court was held February 
17, 1840, at the house of James H. Condict, with Henry Bradley 
and Willis Hays, associate judges, and Eben D. Edson, prosecuting 
attorney. For a^ few terms the courts were held at the house of 
Condict, but it was not long ere they were held in the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. That served as a court house until 
the building of the present house in 1845. As Dubois County 
had no newspapers in that day, nearly all the publications neces- 
sary were made in papers published at Paoli, in Orange County. 
In 1842 James Lockhart was elected prosecuting attorney. About 
that time another attorney, who has been one of the leading men 
of the State, began to make his appearance in the courts. He 
was then a resident of Dover Hill, the county seat of Martin 
County. This was William E. Niblack, of whom more is said 
further along in this chapter. In February, 1846, James Lock- 
hart succeeded Judge Embree upon the bench. He also was a 
resident of Evansville, and had become a prominent lawyer of the 
district. His selection for the important office to which he was 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 513 

now called was but a just tribute to his abilities. For some years 
he continued upon the bench, dispensing justice with impartiality 
and becoming dignity, Like his predecessor, he was elected to 
the national House of Representatives. William Cavender and 
Thomas Shoulders were his associates. John Reinhart and W. 
D. Rosseter were leading attorneys admitted to the bar about that 
time. The latter was an old and able attorney. 

In August, 1853, Hon. Alvin P. Hovey was commissioned 
judge of the Third Judicial District, before this the county hav- 
ing been in the Fourth. He is yet living, and for more than one- 
third of a century has been one of the leading men of the State. 
He has been upon the supreme bench and took an active part in the 
Civil war. His dignity upon the bench was always maintained 
with the utmost rigidness, sometimes almost taking an arbi- 
trary turn. His natural disposition was better adapted to rule 
on the supreme bench than at a nisi prius court. Under the 
new constitution the courts of Indiana received a radical change. 
In the circuit courts the associate judges were dispensed with and 
a single judge held up the scales of justice. Many of the old 
common law forms were done away with, and a new code was 
established. This code has been in force since the 9th of May, 
1853. At that time tliose celebrated and imaginary individuals, 
John Doe and Richard Roe were forever banished from the courts 
of Indiana. They had become familiar to every lawyer, and from 
time immemorial had supplied a legal fiction in action for the 
recovery of real estate. The new law provided that every case 
should be conducted in the names of the real parties to the cause. 
With the abolition of so many fictions and the simplification of many 
terms and forms, much of the intricate learning of the old com- 
mon law has faded away. Those who have studied it, and by long 
years of practice had become thoroughly imbued with its princi- 
ples, admired it for its grandeur and because it embodied the true 
elements of justice and right. Many of the old practitioners re- 
garded the innovations as something next to a sacrilege, and never 
became reconciled to the change^ while others went so far as to 
abandon the practice forever. On the whole, however, there is 
little doubt that the change has had a good result. Under the 
new code everything seems to have moved in a smoother channel, 
and many kinds of contention cases, such as "trespass on the 



514 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

case." ''case," ''trover," and assumpsit passed entirely away and 
are now known only in the study of the old common law. 

In February, 1854, the Hon. W. E. Nililaek appeared and 
took his seat as circuit jvxlge. He was a native of Dubois County, 
and for a few years had been engaged in practice in Martin 
County. It is said, that hitherto, his experience as a lawyer had 
not been extended much beyond the courts of that county. But 
for ten years his had been a familiar face at the Jasper bar, 
although yet comparatively young. However, that may be, he 
succeeded in being a good judge. If he lacked in legal learning, 
bis good common sense came to his aid and enabled him to ad- 
minister equity if not law. He was kind and affable, honest and 
upright, qualities which made him many friends. After leaving 
the bench, he was sent to Congress from his district, which then 
included Dubois County. For several years he has been a con- 
spicuous member of the Supreme Court of Indiana. For four- 
years he continued upon the bench, and in February, 1858, Bal- 
lard Smith succeeded him. Judge Smith was perhaps the most 
polished man that has ever been upon the Dubois circuit bench. 
He was well educated, and was somewhat literary in his make up. 
In addition to this, he was an able lawyer and rather a brilliant 
practitioner. At that time he was a resident of Cannelton, in 
Perry Co., but he afterward moved to Vigo County and became a 
leading member of the Terre Haute bar. The successor to Judge 
Smith was M. F. Burke, a citizen of Daviess County and resi- 
dent of Washington, who took his seat in February, 1859. He 
was of Irish descent, and possessed many of the sterling qualities 
of the natives of the Emerald Isle. With a ready mind, an 
abundance of resource and a free and impetuous eloquence, he 
was one of the best of advocates. He continued to occupy this 
position with satisfaction to all parties until his death, which oc- 
curred May 22, ISpWr. James C. Denny Avas appointed judge to 
fill the vacancy, and he held the July term 18(34. During that 
term the two murder cases, one against Hurst and the other 
against Prieshoff, were disposed of in this court. The latter 
pleaded guilty of assaui and battery and was fined $25 ; the other 
was a change of venue. 

At the January terir 1865, John Baker appeared and took 
his seat as judge, a position he held for six years. He is de- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 



615 



scribed as a man possessed of deep cunning, although not well 
educated. He had good natiiral al)ilitr, was deep minded, and 
this with his unusual cunning made him eminent in his profession. 
His penetration and comprehension made him a good counselor, 
and his craft and skill gave him success where the merits of the case 
were obscure, if not altogether missing. CHents with improper 
claims, or unjust demands with little or no equity or law in them, 
went to him and were often rewarded beyond their hope. For 
about fifteen years he practiced largely at the Orange County bar, 
and during that time conducted a small newspaper at Orleans for 
a short time, early in the fifties. He moved to Vincennes, and 
there continued to practice his profession with success, until his 
election to the judgeship. In that place, the skill and artfubiess 
that had served him with such advantage in the practice, now ena- 
bled him to divest a cause of whatever sophistry attorneys wove 
around it. He made a good judge and retired with the high re- 
gard of the bar. He is yet li^dng in Washington. His successor 
was Newton F. Malott also a citizen of Yincennes. He was per- 
haps the most fearless and independent judge that has ever ruled 
in the Dubois Circuit Court. Neither popular clamor, nor pri- 
vate influence could sway him from his opinion of law and 
ric^ht. He remained upon the bench of this county until March, 
1873, when the district was changed and Oscar M. Welbom com- 
missioned as judge of the Eleventh Judicial District. 

Other Courts. — ^From the first organization of the State until 
the adoption of the new constitution in 1852, a probate court had 
exclusive jurisdiction and control over the settlement of all estates. 
The judge of this court was a citizen of the county. It is not 
now known who first filled the office of probate judge in Dubois 
County, but in 1829 B. B. Edmonston, Sr., was holding the office 
and he continued in that place until 1841, when he was succeeded 
by Daniel Harris. In a few months Moses Kelso was elected to 
the office and filled it until 1848. In October of that year An- 
drew B. Spradley assumed the duties of probate judge which he 
discharged until the court was aboHshed^X' Under the new consti- 
tution all probate matters were transferred to the court of com- 
mon pleas. That court was entirely remodeled. It was given 
original jurisdiction of all that class of offenses which did not 
amount to a felony, except those over which justices of the peace 



516 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

liad exclusive jurisdiction. State prosecutions were instituted by 
affidavit and information. Under certain restrictions this court 
Jiad jurisdiction in cases where the punishment could not be 
death. In no case was the intervention of a grand jury neces- 
sary. In all civil cases except for slander, libel, breach of promise 
to marry, action on official bond of any State or county officer, or 
where the title of real estate was involved, this court had concur- 
rent jurisdiction with the circuit court where the sum or dam- 
ages due or demanded did not exceed $1,000. It had concur- 
rent jurisdiction with justices of the peace where the sum due 
or demanded exceeded $50. When the court was first organ- 
ized, appeals could be taken from it to the circuit court, but 
that right was afterward abolished, but appeal could be taken 
to the supreme court, and the jurisdiction was from time to time 
enlarged. The clerk and sheriff of the county officiated in this 
court as well as in the circuit. The common pleas judge was 
ex-officio judge of the court of conciliation. This last was a 
court that had jurisdiction, of causes of action for libel, slander, 
malicious prosecution, assault and battery and false impris- 
onment, and extended to questions of reconciliation and compro- 
mise only. No attorney was allowed to appear for his client in a 
court of conciliation, but the parties were required to appear before 
the judge apart from all other persons, except that an infant was 
required to appear by its guardian and a female by her husband or 
friend. This branch of the court was abolished in 1867. 

The first court of common pleas in Dubois County, began 
in January, 1853, with Lemuel Q. DeBruler as judge. He re- 
mained upon that bench for eight years, and presided with fair- 
ness and precision. He was one of the early attorneys of Jas- 
per, and for several years was the leading attorney at the Dubois. 
County bar. He was for several years during the forties, asso- 
ciated with Elias Terry, an able lawyer of Washington, Daviess. 
County. DeBruler removed to Evansville, and became one of 
the foremost lawyers of southern Indiana. He was succeeded 
upon the bench in January, 1861, by John James Key. In the 
following winter Judge Key resigned his position in the court, 
to accept a colonel's commission in the army. To fill the vacancy 
thus made, Charles H. Mason was appointed and his first term of 
court was in January, 1862. Judge Mason was then a resident 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. ^"^ ' 

of Cnnnelton. in Perry ConnU: and earned some notoriety as a 
lawyer R' is a man of cnlture and much ability, who has been 
a success in the practice ..f his profession. He is now a citizen 
of Rockport. Anotlier year olapse<l and Dayid T. Laird suc- 
ceeded to the coni.nou pb^s bench. In early life he had liyed 
in Troy and made a rc^putation as an attorney. Later, he moved 
to RoJkport, Avher.^ h<> has Ion- been one of the leadm- practi- 
ti.niers. Jud-e Laird continued u].on the bench until the fall of 
1S7( ) In Och)ber ol: that year Jud,>,^e Mason was appointed to fill a 
siiort vacancy, and. in November foUowiu-. Milton S. Mavity was 
elected. He was then, and is now. a citizen of Paoli, in Orange 
Cmintv. He is a i^^ood jud.i^e of law. although not a brilliant ad- 
vocate He remained upon the ])ench until January, 187:-3, when 
the court of common pleas was abolished. Since that time the 
circuit court has had jurisdiction over all cases whatever, except- 
ing only those in which justices of the peace have exclusive ju- 
risdiction. It is said that tl)e first sentence imposing confine- 
ment in the State prison, was for larceny-Jacob Drinkhouse re- 
ceived a verdict for two years. He was a hatter, and lived at 
Portersville. The in-ool is said to have been entirely circum- 
stantial, and founded upon statements that he had been guilty of 
other small thefts, such as taking coon-skins not his own, and 
making them into caps. He was prosecuted for stealing $50 
from David Harris. The trial was at the first term of 
court held in Jasper. The money was afterward found where it 
had been put away by some member of the family, in a woman's 
dress. No wonder it was supposed to have been stolen. After 
seven months confinement in the penitentiary, Drinkhouse was 

pardoned. 

It is probable that the first murder trial in Dubois County 
was the State of Indiana against Jonathan Walker. The circum- 
stances of this case were somewhat as follows: The time was 
early in the forties and the place was Huntingburgh. Walker 
and a man named Benjamin Taylor, were at that place and had a 
quarrel with a shoe-maker living there, and whose name has been 
forcrotten. In a fight the shoe-maker was killed. Walker was 
arrested on a charge of murder. Taylor left the country and did 
not again appear in these parts. He lived in Warrick County, 
near the town of Taylorville. The trial of Walker excited consul- 



518 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY^ 

erable interest as he had long been one of the best known citizens 
of the county and one of its earliest settlers. The prosecution 
was assisted by John A. Brackenridge, the ablest attorney of 
Warrick County, and the defense was conducted by Terry & 
De Bruler, who were then doing a large part of the business at 
the Dubois County bar. The trial resulted in an acquittal. A 
"reasonable doubt" was established in the minds of the jury by 
an effort to prove that Taylor struck the fatal blow. 

Another murder trial that occurred about the same time was 
that of Zachariah Dillon, for killing Sheriff Thomas Wooldridge. 
It was in 1842, and attracted considerable attention from the 
prominence of the persons interested. The circumstances of the 
case seem to have been against the defendant and the exten- 
uating ones few. After a hotly contested trial Dillon was sen- 
tenced to a term of two years in the State prison and was par- 
doned before his time expired. 

A few years later a man named Pirtle was sent to the peniten- 
tiary for killing a showman at Huntingburgh. Harrison White 
a colored man, was sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor in the 
Jeffersonville prison for killing another colored man. This also 
took place near Huntingburgh, and was the result of a quarrel 
over a mulatto woman. 

Early in 1843 William Spurlock was prosecuted for betting 
upon an election. The indictment charged the defendant with 
having laid a wager with W. E. McMahan of one horse valued at 
$50, that B. B. Edmonston would secure fifty votes more for 
county clerk than John A. Grah.iin at the August election in 
1842. It goes on to say that Eilmonston did secure fifty votes 
more than Graham and was elec-t^ul county clerk and that Spur- 
lock thereby won the property unlawfully and "against the peace 
and dignity of the State of Indiana, and (Contrary to the statute in 
such cases made and provided.'' A nK)tion to quash being over- 
ruled Spurlock pleaded guilty and put himself upon the mercy of 
the court. After hearing the evidence the court fined him $20. After 
paying the costs and fine he was ahead $20, providing the horse 
was worth $50. Cases for gaming were often in the courts of 
those days and were as often accompanied by a companion cause, 
one for assault and battery. 

In 1842 James Lockbart was prosecuting attorney, having been 



IlISTOUV OF DUBOIS COUNTV. 519 

imniodiatelv pioi-eded by Jolni En^le. Both these inoii were 
<if()()(l lawyers. At the -lulv term l^t»l Mi's. Ainainla Weaver was 
prosecuted upon a ehar^e of killiui,^ her own chihl Tlie facts 
in this case are too revoltin^^ to 1»(^ reconh'd liere. She Avas 
sentenced to the penitentiary for life. 

1>\ this time the roll of attoiiieys pieseiits a new lot of names 
many of whom are yet livin;^.- in this portion of the State. Many 
of tiiem have since been judi^t^- in their respective districts. 

The bar of Dubois County is now composfnl of nine attorneys. 
They are Bruno Buettnei-. (dement Donne. William A. Traylor, 
AVintield S. Hunter. Oscar A. Trippet. John I.. r>ret/.. and Thomas 
H. Dillon at Jasper, and Moinion Fisher and A. H. xMiller at 
Huntinij^burgh. These are named nearly in the oriler of their 
admission as attorneys. Bruno Buettner was admitted in August 
18'")S, and ever since that time he has been a familiar figure at 
the Jasper bar. Clement Doane dates his admission to the bar 
= nearly as far back as Mr. Buettner, but in the practice he has not 
been as conspicuous, as his time has been mostly taken up with 
editorial work. Attorney Buettner has the reputation of being well 
versed in the law. The firm of Traylor & Hunter is perhaps the 
strongest now practicing at the Dubois bar regularly. They are 
both men in the prime of life and enjoy the highest confidence of 
the people. Oscar A. Trippet is a young man not much beyond 
thirty years of age. He began the practice of his profession at Jas- 
per in 1879, By close application he has acquired a good practice. 
John L. Bretz is the present prosecuting attorney for this judicial 
district. He is of a family well known in the count}' and is a young 
man of ability. Thomas H. Dillon has been raised in the county, 
and has but recently located in Jasper, wdiere he intends entering the 
list of attorneys at law. Captain Fisher and A. H. Miller are 
among the citizens of Huntingburgh and do considerable business 
for people from that portion of the county. 

At the time the court of common pleas was abolished, the dis- 
trict was composed of Spencer, Perry, Dubois, Crawford and 
Orange Counties. John C. Schafer, one of the promising attor- 
leys of Jasper, was district attorney. He became prosecuting 
.ttorney in the circuit court and held that place until his deatli 
ia October 1877. He was succeeded by William H. Trippet of 
Gibson County, who held that ofiice until 1880. At that tim- 



520 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Arthur H. Taylor of Petersburg was elected. In 1884 the pres- 
ent incumbent, John L. Bretz was chosen for the place. 

Judge Welborn is noted in southern Indiana as a good judge, 
and is frequently sought by litigants in preference to other 
judges. He is a man of unusaally strong common sense and his 
mind is well trained for the position he holds. He is clear, log- 
ical and always makes his decisions without prejudice or favor. 
He has great respect for the verdict of a jury, but if he thinks 
it wrong, he is unhesitating in his decision setting it aside. He 
is painstaking and listens patiently to argument and especially to 
the person he thinks in error. Like Richelieu he believes, "for 
justice all places a temple and all seasons summer." 



CHAPTER V. 

Military History of the County— Survivors of the Early Wars- 
Volunteers FOR the StRI'GGLE WITH MEXICO— COMMENCEMENT OF 

THE Rebellion— Disloyal and other Sentiments— The Call to 
Arms— Enlistment of Companies— Recruiting Drafts— War 
and Mass Meetings — Sketches of Regiments— Bounty and 
Relief. 

IN military history Dubois County has an honorable record. 
Since the battle of Tippecanoe in November, 1811, to the 
present hour, her citizens have borne their full share in the stir- 
ring scenes of war. The county itself was named for one of its 
pioneer patriots, Fousaint Dubois, who bore a conspicuous part 
in that renowned engagement which proved a Waterloo to the In- 
dian tribes of the Northwest. After the close of the war of 1812, 
the citizens throughout the entire West for many years continued 
to meet annually for the purpose of drilling in military tactics. 
These "general training" days were usually county holidays and 
the occasions for nearly the entire population to turn out in gen- 
eral and immoderate jollification. With the long j)eriod of peace 
that followed the second war with the mother country, the peo})le 
had grown tired of the yearly musters. This no doubt was largely 
due to the improbability of any resort to war or to military 
measures. More than the third of a century had gone by in trail- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 523 

quillity and prosperity, when the war with Mexico revived some o£ 
the old martial spirit that had begun to slumber in the breasts of 
American citizens. In that short and perhaps not inglorious 
campaign the soldiers of Dubois County were present. In 1847 
a full company was raised in Dubois and Spencer Counties. The 
company was E, of the Fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Mex- 
ican war. The muster-in roll of the company contains the follow- 
ing names of men from Dubois County: James A. Graham, Ran- 
dolph Hall, Thomas M. Smith, Martin B. Mason, Thomas Enlow, 
Adam H. Dempy, Gardner Beebe, Joseph Grinder (died in Mexico), 
Mr. McElwain (wounded in the foot, leg amputated, died in Mex- 
ico), William Sherrod, John B. Hutchins, David L. Matthews (died 
in Mexico), William and Samuel Postlethwait, James Green (died 
in Mexico), William Hart, John Mehringer, David Merchand, 
Richard and William Stillwell, Vincent Bolen, Harrison Wade, 
Hiram Main (died in Mexico), Jacob Hoover, Samuel Beardsley, 
Alfred H. Fisher, James McKowin, Hiram B. Shively and Pleasant 
Horton (killed in battle). These men constituted about one-third 
of the company, their leader being James A. Graham. The officers 
of the company were John W. Crooks, captain, Rockport, Ind. ; 
Christopher C. Graham, Charles S. Finch and James A. Graham, 
lieutenants. The men of this company went by small squads to 
New Albany, where they were organized under the command of 
Colonel Willis A. Gorman. This was in June 1847. In July the 
regiment moved to New Orleans, thence across the Gulf to Brazos 
Island, and soon afterward up the Rio Grande River, along and 
near which it did guard duty until early in 1848, when it was 
transferred to Vera Cruz, and thence along the National Road to 
Pueblo. It occupied this point some time. It skirmished occa- 
sionally with Mexican guerillas, and finally after moving back on 
the way to Vera Cruz, had a sharp engagement at Huamantla, 
which was the only one of note the company was engaged in. In 
July, 1848, the company returned and was mustered out at Madi- 
son, Ind. A large crowd greeted them at Rockport, and a speech 
was made by James C. Veatch, to which the captain responded. A 
barbecue was held at Morgan's Grove, and the boys living north 
started on their way home and were welcomed by crowds at 
Gentryville, Dale and several places in Dubois County. 

Beginning of the Civil War. — The causes that led to the Civil 



524 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

war in Ainerica are too widely and well known to be enumerated 
here. (Suffice it to say that the agitation of the slavery question 
for a period of more than forty years had brought the North and 
South into the most violent sectional hatred. This culminated in 
the presidential campaign of ISiU). That political contest had 
never before been equalled in America for its bitterness. The 
Democratic party, like the churches of the two sections, became 
divided on the momentous questions of the hour. The Eepubli- 
can party was successful, and its leader, Abraham Lincoln, was 
chosen President of the United States. He had been elected on 
a strong anti-slavery platform, and the Southern States professed 
to see in this a direful menace to their institutions. Under the 
teachings of John C. Calhoun and other able leaders, the South 
had become strong in advocating the right of a State to secede 
from the Union whenever such a course was deemed necessary to 
the best interests of that State. This doctrine was opposed by 
the Northern States. Soon after the result of the presidential 
election of 1860 became known, many of the Southern States took 
steps toward secession. A lethargic administration permitted the 
preliminary steps to be taken without opposition, and emboldened 
with the non-interference, the Southern Confederacy was soon 
formed. All lovers of the Union and the Constitution saw the 
inevitable dismemberment of the Republic if the idea of a right 
to secession should prevail. On the other hand many who owned 
an equal love for the Union admitted that they could see no 
authority by which the General Government could coerce a State 
into compliance with its laws and the Constitution. The people 
of the North saw the Southern States go out of the Union one by 
one, while the national authorities remained inactive and appar- 
ently oblivious to the ordinances of secession. Many hoped the flew 
President would be able to consolidate the States into a more 
lasting Union. The first few weeks of the new administration 
slipped away without promise of any cheer. Public sentiment 
was strained to its utmost limit. In the midst of the bewilder- 
ment of ideas as to what course ought to be pursued, came the tra- 
gedy of Fort Sumter. An insult to the flag of the Union was 
sufficient to pretty well unite loyal citizens of the North, and all 
agreed that the honor of the flag should be maintained, and that 
the Constitution ought to be upheld inviolate. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 525 

Scnfimciif in fhc (\>nnhi. — Influenced, no doubt, by proximity 
to the probable scene of conflict, a majority of the people in Du- 
bois County advocated a neutral course. As probably illustrating 
the general sentiment throughout the county, the following ex- 
tract is quoted from the Jasper Courirr, in its issue of December 
2(1, 1S()(), then, as now, edited by Clement Doane. " There are 
but two modes for the General Government to pursue toward 
South Carolina and the seven other States that will likely follow 
her by the middle of January. One is to recognize their inde- 
pendence and let them go peaceably, which will in fact establish 
the doctrine of secession. The other is to attempt to force them 
to remain in the Union. If the latter course is adopted, we think 
the interest of our people demands that Indiana should act inde- 
pendently, allowing no hostile meetings within her borders, for- 
bidding alike the Federal Government and the Southern Repub- 
lic from recruiting among her citizens, and thus preserve our peo- 
ple from the contaminating iiifluences of abolitionism or slavery- 
propagandism. We might thus be in a position at the proper 
time, after several thousands of the ultra-fanatics, on both sides, 
have been killed, to mediate successfully between the contending 
factions, and possibly restore peace, and conduce to the recon- 
struction of the Union. To secure this independent action we 
hope will be the first aim of our next Legislature." The people 
endorsed the Crittenden Compromise proposition, and a petition 
from Jasper, containing more than 200 names, to that effect, was 
forwarded to the State Peace Conference commissioners. On the 
whole there can be said to have been small endorsement of the 
Lincoln administration in Dubois County, at the outset. The 
vote at the election had been almost overwhelmingly cast for 
Doutjlas, the vote for him beincj 1,347, while that for Lincoln 
was but 301. The Douglas element, however, was one that could 
not long remain inactive when the preservation of the Union be- 
came the main issue. On all other questions it Avas for com- 
promise. 

The news of the firing on Fort Sumter was like a knell to 
the people of Dubois County. The first few weeks passed in 
calm deliberations upon the course of public events, ere any de- 
cisive step was taken. But that step was finally taken in the 
right direction. On the 20th of April, 18G1, one week after the 



526 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

news from Fort Sumter, the citizens of Jasper met at the court 
house and took steps toward organizing a company of home 
guards. On the week following another nieeting was held. W. 
C. Adams was made chairman, and A. H. Alexander secretary. 
Short addresses were made by several of the citizens and Messrs. 
Doane, Mehringer and Connelly were appointed a committee to 
draw up an article for signing. It read as follows: " We, the 
undersigned citizens of Dubois County, deeming it necessary in 
the present deplorable state of public affairs, do agree to form 
ourselves into a military Home Guard for the purpose of protec- 
tion from lawless invading foes, and that we will abide by 
such rules as may hereafter be made by the company." The 
meeting then adjourned until Monday evening following, at which 
time sixty-five members answered to the roll call. A constitution 
was adopted and the following ofiicers elected: John Mehringer, 
captain; W. C. Adams, first lieutenant; S. Jerger, second lieu- 
tenant; R. M. Wellman, third lieutenant; J. Salband A. Litschgi, 
sergeants; R. Beck, C. W. DeBruler, A. Harter and R. Smith, 
corporals. This company continued to meet each week and rap- 
idly became proficient in the manual of arms. Its captain, John 
Mehringer, had been in the Mexican war and knew something of 
what was necessary in martial affairs. Saturday, May 18, 
a large Union meeting was held at the court house, A pole was 
raised and the old Union flag was run up with the original thir- 
teen stars, amid the music of the brass band and much loud cheer- 
ing. Rev. A. J. Strain delivered a short and patriotic address 
urging every one to stand by the old flag and maintain the union of 
the States. At the close of his address the citizens gave three 
cheers for the Union, the Constitution, and the flag. Comment- 
ing on this meeting the Courier of May 22 said: "The stars on 
the flag are thirteen, showing their love for the constitution of 
the old thirteen States that originally composed the Republic, 
and their belief that if the old spirit of patriotism could be 
aroused now, sectionalism and its handmaid, civil war, would soon 
vanish." Meetings of this kind were held in various parts of the 
3ounty, and companies of the Home Guard organized in nearly 
3very township. The Union sentiment was fast gaining the as- 
jendancy and Dubois County was preparing to play its part in 
the tragedy of civil war. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 



527 



Union Meeting af Ireland— ^atnrdaj, May 4, the citizens 
of Ireland and vicinity had a meeting for the purpose of forming 
a military company to be called the Ireland Home Guards. Mr. 
A. F. Kelso was called to the chair and Harvey Green chosen sec- 
retary. After a brief address from Mr. Arthur Berry explaiiiing 
the object, of the meeting, a list of forty-five persons was secured 
who joined the company. A committee on resolutions was ap- 
pointed consisting of Arthur Berry, William B. Rose and Dr. H. W. 
Glezen. The report contained strong Union sentiments and said 
"we wish to work shoulder to shoulder with them in maintaining the 
honor of the flag, supporting the Constitution and enforcing the 
laws of our common country. The Ireland Home Guards were offi- 
cered as follows: Arthur Berry, captain; William Hart, first 
lieutenant; Harvey Green, second lieutenant; Benjamin Dillon, 
James E. Brittain, William B. Rose and R. E. DeBruler, ser- 
geants. 

About the same time the citizens of Haysville and vicinity 
met and organized a company of home guards. The enrollment 
at the first meeting was forty-three and the officers were Rev. 
J. F. St. Clair, captain; W. Gray, first lieutenant; J. M. Marley, 
second lieutenant; T. Stalcup, third lieutenant; Dr. Bratcher, 
E. E. Bruner, J. Milburn and N. Chattin, sergeants. Compan- 
ies of the same kind were also organized at Huntingburgh, 
Ferdinand, Hall Township and other places throughout the 
county. A Dubois regiment began to be talked of. By June the 
people of the county were ready both in principle and action to 
maintain the Constitution and the Union at whatever price. No 
stronger evidence of this could be given than the following reso- 
lution passed at a large public meeting held at the court house, 
June 8, to express their sentiments in regard to the death of 
Stephen A. Douglas: "That the last words spoken by the de- 
parted, 'Tell them to obey the laws and support the Constitution 
of the United States,' shall be the battle cry of old Dubois till 
peace be restored and traitors demolished." The Courier in its 
issue of July 26, said: "The reinvigoration of the Constitution and 
Union is worth money and lives without stint — worth years of 
strife and civil commotion — worth the peace, prosperity and pro- 
gress of a generation — worth this war and all its sacrifices. To 
break down the Constitution in the hope of establishing a better 



.028 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

— to destroy this Union in the hope of reaping benefits from con- 
solidation — to u[)liold the just power of the Government at the 
expense of tlie }jrinciples of the Constitution and the spirit of the 
confederation of equal States is not worth this war. The signs 
of the times give cause to be apprehensive. We call upon the 
people to be vigilant." 

First Volunteers for the W<ir. — The first men from Dubois 
County to volunteer in the United States service were from the 
north part of the county, from Haysville and vicinity. They joined 
Company C, of the Fourteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, 
and were credited to Martin County Avhere the company was or- 
ganized at Loogootee. Their date of muster was June 7, and 
their term of enlistment was three years. The number from this 
county was about thirty, and the day the}^ left were paraded by 
Capt. Mehringer, of Jasper, who marched them to the upper end of 
the town, where they received an accession to their ranks from 
Davis Creek. They then marched to the house formerly occupied 
by Mr. Throop as a store. Several hundred people had congregated 
there and the citizens had prepared a dinner for the boys ere 
they started on their martial journey. About the same time 
nearly twenty men left the neighborhood of Celestine and joined 
Capt. Kish's company at New Albany. A number about equal 
also joined a Pike County company. By the 1st of July the 
county had furnished men enough to form an independent com- 
pany had they only been united. 

Under the President's second call for troops, when 300,000 
men were asked for, the company at Jasper under Capt. Mehringer 
was offered, but was not taken on account of the number from 
this district being full. At this they were considerably disap- 
pointed. Early in August, however, the company received orders 
to report at Indianapolis, but through a delay in the mail it was 
not reached in time for them to be there at the appointed day. 
The company went into camp near town, in Edmonston's Grove, 
which was known as Camp Edmonston. Thursday, August 
15, it elected officers with the following result: John Mehringer, 
captain; R. M. Wellman, first lieutenant; and Stephen Jerger, 
second lieutenant. On the following day they formed in front of 
the court house, and after a general farewell shaking of hands, 
roll was called. About twenty who had put their names down 



History of dubois countv. 529 

were absent. Speeches were made by ^Y. C. Adams and Rev. A. 
J. Strain liiat were responded to by Capt. Mehringer. They then 
started on the way to Imlianapolis, escorted for some distance by 
the brass band. Lieut. Welman returned on the following Tues- 
day to get recruits for the company. This lie succeeded in doing 
to the number of thirty-two. which made the company full. Up- 
on the reorganization of the regiment with the Twenty-seventh 
Indiana, the comjiany was assigned the position of K. Capt. 
Mehrinu-er was elected the first major, and the officers of the com- 
pany were promoted in their regular order. During its entire term 
of service the company's officers, with dates of their commissions, 
were as follows: Captains, R. M. Welman, August 30, 18G1 ; Stephen 
Jerger, October 1, 1S()2, and John M. Haberle. January 1, 1864. 
First lieutenants, Stephen Jerger, August 30, 1801; John M. 
Haberle, October 1, 1862, and Leander Jerger, January 1, 1864. 
Second lieutenants, Arthur Berry, August 30, 1861; John M. 
Haberle, January 1, 1862; Julian F. HofPer, October 1, 1862. 
Of these Lieut. Hoffer died in July, 1863, of wounds received at 
the battle of Chancellorsville, and was the only commissioned offi- 
cer that died in the service. The Twenty-seventh regiment joined 
Banks' army of the Shenandoah in October, 1861, and was 
camped near Frederick City, Md., during the following winter. 
The 23d of May, 1862, it was engaged in the battle of Front 
Royal, and the next day was in the famous retreat on the Stras- 
burg road toward Winchester. On the morning of the 25th it 
participated in a furious battle, and the brigade to which it was 
attached (Gordon's) withstood the assault of twenty-eight rebel 
regiments for three and a half hours and repulsed them. Soon 
after this it was made a part of Banks' division of Pope's army of 
Virginia, and on the Sth of August was in the battle of Cedar 
Mountains. It then was in the Maryland campaign. September 
17 it sustained heavy loss in the battle of Antietam. After this 
it was not actively engaged until the campaign of 18tj3. Its next 
battle was Chancellorsville, and itthen pursued Lee's invading army 
to Gettysburg, where it was actively engaged with heavy loss. 
It then followed the retreating army to the Potomac. From there 
it was traiisferred to Tullahoma, Tenn., where it remained during 
the following winter. In January many re-enlisted. Eighteen 
men from Company K joined the Seventieth Regiment. The 



530 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Twenty-seventh took part in Sherman's Atlanta campaign. At 
the battle of Resaca, in a square open fight, it defeated two rebel 
regiments, killing and wounding a large number and taking 
about 100 prisoners. lis loss was sixty-eight killed and wounded. 

Relief for Soldiers' Families. — Many of the men who had vol- 
unteered were poor, and compelled to support their families by 
daily labor. When they went into the army it was some time before 
they drew pay, and many of their wives and children came to actual 
want before the Government paid the soldiers. With the object 
of rendering aid to those who deserved it, the board of county 
commissioners in the first week of September 1861, appointed a 
committee of six men, one from each township, to investigate and 
relieve the actual want of volunteers' families not exceeding $8 
per month to each family. This committee consisted of these men : 
James Houston, of Columbia ; Jacob Lemmon Sr. of Harbison ; Mar- 
tin Friedman, of Bainbridge ; Allen T. Fleming, of Hall ; Ernst G. 
Blemker, of Patoka; and John G. Hoffman, of Ferdinand Town- 
ships. This was a commendable action on the part of the county 
board. 

Union meetings continued to be held throughout the county 
at which freedom of speech was freely indulged. Early in Sep- 
tember a large number of men from Hall Township and the east- 
ern part of the county joined a company from the adjoining town- 
ships in Orange and Crawford Counties. By the middle of that 
month the county had furnished about 400 men for the war 
although only one company was credited to it. Recruiting began 
about that time in earnest. A. H. Alexander, F. B. Blackford 
and C. W, DeBruler began raising a company of sharpshooters, 
and D. S. Key, S. F. McCrillus and Clement Doane were forming 
an infantry company. Letters were received from the boys at 
the front urging their acquaintances at home to volunteer in the 
cause of freedom. The company from the eastern portion of the 
county, mostly from Hall Township, left on the 27th of September 
to go into camp at New Albany. Before starting the election of 
officers occurred with the following result : Captain, A. J. Hawhee ; 
first lieutenant, Thomas Fleming; second lieutenant, James C. 
McConahay. About eighty of them went on horseback to Orleans 
where they boarded the train for New Albany. During the same 
week twenty-five left Patoka Township and joined the company of 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 531 

Capt. Bryant at Elizabeth., and twelve from Ireland joined a com- 
pany in Gibson County. The company of Capt. Hawhee was 
assigned the position of A, in the Forty-ninth Regiment of Indi- 
ana Volunteers. The officers for the whole time of its service 
were captains Arthur J. Hawhee and James C. McConahay ; first- 
lieutenants, Thomas A. Fleming, James C. McConahay, George 
W. Christopher and William W. Kendall; second-lieutenants, 
James C. McConahay, George W. Christopher, Jeremiah Crook 
and Allen H. Young. With the regiment it was mustered into the 
service November 21, 1861, and engaged in all the hard fighting 
of that regiment. It started out with an enrollment of 98 men 
and during its entire term of service was recruited with 42, making 
a total of 140. The loss of non-commissioned officers and enlisted 
men was 23 and the deserters 13. In the first week of November 
another company volunteered from Hall ToAvnship and the neigh- 
borhood of Celestine. It became Company I, of the Forty -ninth 
Regiment. About seventy of them were from Dubois County. 
At Jasper on the 4th of November the election of officers was held 
and John J. AUes chosen captain ; John F. B. Widner, first lieu- 
tenant, and Edward Bohart, second lieutenant. They were enter- 
tained at the Indiana Hotel and the following morning, Tuesday, 
were addressed by A. J. Strain and started for Loogootee. From 
that place they went to Jeffersonville and were mustered into the 
service on the 21st of November. 

At this time several other companies were being recruited in 
various parts of the county, some of which would soon be readv 
for the field. Capt. Bryant of Patoka Township had nearly a full 
company organized for the Forty-second Regiment then rendez- 
vousing at Evansville. This made four companies that had gone 
from the county, nearly all of Dubois County men, although in 
this one were several from Spencer County. It was given the 
position of Company H, in the regiment. The original enroll- 
ment was 90 and the recruits 77 ; 27 died in the service and 5 
deserted. Its captains were James H. Bryant, Gideon R. Kell- 
ams, Allen Gentry and William W. Milner ; first lieutenants, G. 
R. Kellams, Adam Haas, William W. Milner and Joseph C. 
Nix ; second lieutenants, Adam Haas, Allen Gentry and James B. 
Payne. 

About this time another company left the county, a large 



532 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

number of which came from the vicinity of Ireland. The citi- 
zens of that place gave the company a banquet on the 11th of 
October, and the following day it started for Princeton, where the 
Fifty-eighth Regiment was organizing, and in which it was as- 
signed the position of E. It was accepted as a company of sharp- 
shooters, and mustered into the service November 1'2, 1861, with 
an enrollment of eighty-three men. During the whole term of 
service the commissioned officers were captains, Daniel J. Banta, 
Asbury H. Alexander, Jacob E. Voorhees and George W. Hill; 
first lieutenants, Asbury H. Alexander, J. E. Yoorhees, George W. 
Hill and AVilliam R. McMahan ; second lieutenants, J. E. Voor- 
hees, Francis B. Blackford, G. W. Hill, William R. McMahan 
and Arthur Mouser. This company saw considerable hard serv- 
ice, and lost by death twenty-four men and one commissioned 
officer. Lieut. Blackford was killed at Stone River, December 
31, 1862. 

A large number of Company B, of the Forty-second Regiment, 
were from Dubois County, although credited to Spencer County. 
They were mustered in early in October, 1861. Company E, of the 
Eighteenth Indiana Regiment, was also largely made up of Du- 
bois County men. 

At the close of the first year of the war Dubois County was 
well represented. Five companies, organized almost entirely of 
men in this county were in the active service. In addition to 
these, between 200 and 300 men had volunteered that were cred- 
ited to other counties, and enlisted in various companies organized 
beyond the limits of Dubois. Had these matters been prop- 
erly attended to in the beginning of the war, it is more than prob- 
able that the county would have escaped the first draft. The 
third call of the Government for troops was dated August 4, 1862, 
asking for 300,000 volunteers. Under this call, recruiting was 
again renewed in the county with vigor, and during the third 
week in August a full company was ready for the war. This 
was Company K, of the Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Infantry. 
Its officers for the whole time of service were captains, Andrew 
J. Beckett, John W. Hammond and Robert H. Walter; first lieu- 
tenants, John H. Lee, Phillip Guches, Robert H. Walter and Red- 
man F. Laswell ; second lieutenants, Phillip Guches, Robert H. 
Walter and AVilliam P. Chappell. This company was mustered 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTl. 533 

into the United States service September 10, 1802. It was en- 
gaged in ail the active campaigning in which tlie Sixty-fifth par- 
ticipated. It joined that regiment in the field at Madisonville, 

Company F, of the Fifty-third Regiment, was oflicered as fol- 
lows : Captains, Alfred H. McCoy, Lewis B. Shively, Henry Dun- 
can and Thomas N. Robertson ; first lieutenants, Lewis B. Shively, 
Henry Duncan, T. N. Robertson and Allen P. Davis; second lieu- 
tenants, Martin P. Mason, Henry Duncan, T. N. Robertson and 
Elisha Jones. The company was mustered into the service on 
the 4th of March, 1802, and served three years in active warfare, 
and was one of the best that went from Dubois County. It started 
out with 88 men, and was rvjcruited during its entire time of serv- 
ice with 104 men ; 25 died and 5 deserted. The original enroll- 
ment was made up almost entirely from Dubois County men. 
In November, 1803, Company K was stationed at Mulberry Gap, 
Tenn., and numbered 45 men. It expelled from that place a whole 
rebel regiment by a night attack in which it won an enviable rep- 
utation. This company started out with 90 men, received but 10 
recruits during its entire term of service. Of these, 24 died 
while in the service and 1 deserted. 

This was the last company that went out from Dubois 
County, prior to the draft which occurred October 6, 1862. 
At that date the county had furnished 718 volunteers, for 
which it had credit. Of these 01»0 were in actual service. 
The militia amounted to 1,491 men. This shows well, and 
if all the men from the county had been properly credited, 
few counties could have shown a better record. In that draft, 
67 men were to be drawn from Dubois county, and 61 were 
to come from Ferdinand Township, and from Patoka Town- 
ship. In the former township there was a large, in fact almost a 
solid foreign population, and a sentiment had gained ground 
among them that the war was being waged for the purpose of 
abolishing slavery, and in this they were reluctant to engage. 
But the sentiment of the people throughout most of the county 
was strong in favor of the Union cause. This is well illus- 
trated by the following resolution i)assed in the Democratic 
county convention, August 10, 1802: 

''Resolved, That we are in favor of an earnest and more vio-or- 



534 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

ous prosecution of the war for the suppression of this wicked 
rebellion, and for this purpose will support the President in all 
constitutional measures, but we believe the constitution confers 
ample powers for all emergencies." 

For some time after this, no company was organized in the 
county, although recruits were constantly leaving for those com- 
panies already in the field. The summer of 18(>2 passed away 
with but comparatively little excitement. The daily papers were 
scanned in eagerness to catch the latest news from the front. 
The mails were closely watched for a message from a father, a 
husband, or a brother who had dedicated his services to his coun- 
try's cause. The "Union at any price," had been a potent watch- 
word. Soldiers at home on furlough were the idols of tlie pub- 
lic, and the "observed of all observers." Their tales of warlike 
scenes and martial glory were listened to with profound attention. 

The winter of 1862-63 went by, and yet no signs of the bloody 
conflict drawing to a close appeared. More men were needed to 
put down the rebellion that was raging in unabated fury. In 
June, 1863, the Government made another call for troops; this 
time for 100,000 men. 

July was a month of much excitement and interest. On the 4th 
occurred the two famous victories of Gettysburg and Vicksburg. 
When the news of these reached Jasper, the citizens were wild 
with joy. A salute of 100 guns was fired, bon-fires were lighted 
and dwellings ilhiminated. People acted as if the war was at an 
end. Alas ! nearly two years more were to roll around ere peace 
would be declared. Scarcely had the jollification over these vic- 
tories ceased, ere the citizens of southern Indiana were alarmed 
by a rebel invasion. This was the famous Morgan raid. Twice 
before had the people of Dubois County been startled by a similar 
report. One was in July, 1862, when Adam Johnson ransacked 
the town of Newburgh, Warrick County. The other was the raid 
of Capt. Thomas H. Hines, who belonged to Gen. Morgan's rebel 
regiment. With a small force he crossed the Ohio River, a few 
miles above Cannelton, in Perry County, on the 17 th of June, 
1863. After a circuit through Perry, Orange, Crawford and 
Washington Counties, his force was captured in an attempt to 
re-cross the Ohio. Only Hines and two others escaped. The 
news of this small invasion spread a wide and rapid alarm through 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 535 

the southern portion of the State. Dubois County shared in the 
excitement, but in nothing further was it damaged. Early in 
July, 1863, Gen. John H. Morgan landed on Indiana soil, and 
began his raid through this State. His force of about 4,000 
men spread the widest consternation throughout the entire State. 
The militia was called out, and the citizens formed in independent 
companies or squads to assist in repelling the invader. 

These raids were becoming so numerous that the people of 
Dubois deemed it necessary for their safety to organize a com- 
pany of the Legion. This was done. The company numbered 
about sixty members, and had the following officers: R. M. Wel- 
man, captain ; Mathias Smith and Conrad Eckert, lieutenants, all 
of whom had been in active service. At Ireland a company of 
mounted Home Guards was organized, with Daniel J. Banta, 
captain; George Mosby and Samuel Dillon, Jr., lieutenants. In 
Patoka Township a company each of infantry and cavalry; the 
former elected L. Pretz, captain; Henry Miller and Mr. Ja'nde- 
bear, lieutenants. In the other, Morman Fisher was elected cap 
tain. The Anderson Rangers was a company of the Legion or- 
ganized in Hall Township, with John Howard, captain; Jeff Huff 
and Shelby Pruitt, lieutenants. 

Renewed Efforts to Raise Volunteers.— October 17, 1863, the 
President issued a call for 300,000 more volunteers to* serve three 
years, or during the war. Under this call Dubois County was 
compelled to raise 120 men. Active measures were at once taken 
to raise this number, and a committee was appointed to canvass 
the township for volunteers composed of these persons: Colum- 
bia, H. H. Morgan; Harbison, Jacob Lemmon; Bainbridge, M. 
Kean; Hall, Alexander Shoulders; Patoka, L. Bretz; Ferdinand, 
Dr. W. Schuntermann. In March the county was credited with 
545 men in active service, while in September, 1862, 719 were 
thus credited. The 5th of January, 1864, was the time fixed for 
the men to be furnished, or there would be draft in all delinquent 
districts. A bounty began to be talked of in the county, but 
when the county board met, in December, the necessary petitions 
were not read, and that matter passed by for the time. Officers 
came home from the old companies, and began recruiting for 
them. In addition to the recruits for those companies already in 
the field, another full company was organized. This was Com- 



536 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

pany M, of the Tenth Cavalry (One Hunch-ed and Twenty -fifth) 
Ee<'-iment of Indiana Volunteers. Its commissioned officers were 
Morman Fisher, ca[)tain ; John H. Miller, first lieutenant, and 
William F. Kemp, second lieutenant. The date of their muster 
was March 8, 18()4, and the place of orii^anization Yincennes. 
After serving a few months the regiment was dismounted, and 
for a while served as infantry. Its service was mo.stly confined to 
the southwest. August 31, 18l)0, it was mustered out at Yicks- 
burg, and a few days later was discharged at Indianapolis, after 
more than a year of active service in front of the enemy. 

In the spring of 1804 the term of those who had first volun- 
teered for three years expired and most of them came home, altliough 
many had re-enlisted and were given a veteran furlough. The 
people of Dubois County gave their "war scarred heroes" a warm 
reception, and they Avere banqueted and toasted on every slight 
occasion. They showed their appreciation of the sacrifice that 
had been made by those wdio had volunteered to defend their 
country in its hour of trial. But the war Avas yet raging in an 
awful manner, and its end was not yet visible. In July, 1864, 
another call for men was issued. The number asked for was 
500,000, and under this Dubois County was compelled to furnish 
two more full companies. For the purpose of raising these 
meetings were held in all parts of the county. Voluntary sub- 
scriptions were taken up to pay to those who would enlist. 
Each township was. active in this, as a draft was to be made if the 
required number was not supplied. Bainbridge Township Avas 
the only one that escaped the draft that occurred in October fol- 
lowing, and that only })y offering large township bounties, rang- 
ing from 1200 to $800. Scarcely had this draft been accom- 
plished when, in December, another call for 300,000 troops re- 
sounded through the land. More than 1,600,000 men had now been 
demanded by the Government, and no other war of equal propor- 
tions was recorded in the annals of the world. In the midst of 
this excitement another Presidential election took place, and Lin- 
coln was triumphantly re-elected over Gen. George B. McClellan. 
In Dubois County the vote for Lincoln was 206, while that for 
McClellan was 1,464, a majority of 1,158. Most of the new vol- 
unteers from Bainbridge Township, to supply its quota under the 
call of July, 1864, had been assigned to Capt. McConahay's com- 



HISTOltY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 537 

paiiy of the Fort} -nintli Regiment. The December call aroiihsed 
the whole county to its utmost activity. 

Bounfjj Offered bij the Cnunfij. — In January. 1805. a special 
session of county commissioners was held for the purpose of con- 
sidering the best course for the county to pursue in regard to the 
last call of the President for 300,000 men. At that session it 
was finally ordered that the sum of $48,000 be appropriated ''to 
be paid to and for volunteers for the purpose of furnishing the 
quota of Dubois County of the call at present of 300.000 men to 
avoid the draft in the county aforesaid." Township trustees were 
ordered to appoint one person in each township to collect $25 
from each person subject to draft and to solicit other contributions. 
The $48,000 were to be distributed in bounties of $400 to each vol- 
unteer credited to Dubois County. To raise this amount bonds 
were issued payable in one, two, three, four and five years with in- 
terest at 6 per cent. This amount was apportioned among the 
townships as follows: 

Columbia Township for 16 volunteers $6,400 00 

Harbison " " 6 " 3,400 00 

Bainbridge " "22 " 8,800 00 

Hall " "13 " 5,200 00 

Patoka •' "36 " 14,400 00 

Ferdinand " "26 " 10,400 00 — 

Total 119 ...$47,600 00 

This was incurring debt upon the county pretty rapidly, but 
the sacrifice had to be made. 

The last full company organized in Dubois County was as- 
signed the position of E, in the One Hundred and Forty-third Reg- 
iment of Volunteers. It was mustered into the service February 
17, 1865. Its commissioned officers were : captain, PJiillip Giiches; 
first-lieutenants, Leander Jerger and Adolph Harter ; second-lieu- 
tenants, Adolph Harter and Gerger Friedman. It was mustered 
out October 17, 1805, and was discharged at Indianapolis a few 
days later. Several others had volunteered from the county, but 
they were assigned to older companies as recruits. 

When in April, 1805, the war was brought to a close, the enthu- 
siasm of the North knew no bounds. Fours years had the sanguin- 
ary conflict raged, and the best blood of the land had been shed 
in civil war. All rejoiced at its conclusion. The whole expense 
of the war upon Dubois County is given as follows : 



538 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

FOR BOUNTY. FOB RELIEF. 

Dubois County $5,2800 00 |1,941 78 

Columbia Township 1,690 00 500 00 

Harbison " 1,617 00 300 00 

Bainbridge " ., 5.799 50 1,070 00 

HaJ " 8,505 00 604 00 

Patoka " 6,014 50 1,070 00 

Ferdinand " 3,154 00 426 00 

Totals $73,380 00 $5,948 78 

But the war was over and the people cared little then for the 
cost. They felt that the result justified the sacrifices. 



CHAPTER YI. 

Detailed History of the Towns and Villages of the County- 
Jasper, its Growth AND Importance; Its Business and Incor- 
poration; Its Newspapers, Banks, etc.— Huntingburgii, its 
Founding, Activity and Business— Ferdin.\.nd— Holland— Ire- 
land — BiRDSEYE — Sciinellville — Bretzville — Haysville— 

TTlLLHAM— PORTERSVILLE. 

THE town of Jasper had its origin m the necessity tor a more 
centrally located county seat than Portersville. The land 
upon which it is situated, was purchased from the government in 
1820 and in 1830. The original town was laid out on the northeast 
quarter of Section 35, Town 1 aouth, Eange 5 west. The east 
half of that quarter section was entered by Benjamin Enlow, 
August 25, 1820, and the west half by Jacob Enlow and Elijah 
Bell, April 17, 1830. It was donated by the Enlows to the 
county for the purpose of a county seat, and in September, 1830, 
it was surveyed and platted by Hosea Smith, the surveyor of Pike 
County. William McMahan was then county agent and con- 
ducted the sale of the lots, which occurred not long after that 
time. As elsewhere stated the court house and jail were erected 
by citizens, free of cost to the county, and by the next spring 
and summer, they were ready for occupation by the officers. 
Those persons who erected these buildings were interested in 
having the change made. Major T. Powers owned the north- 
west quarter of the section at that time, and took an active in- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 541 

terest in developing the new town. A few who had purchased 
lots in PoTtersville, changed for lots of a corresponding location 
in Jasper, as the law permitted them to do. It is said that as 
early as 1818, Joseph Enlow built a grist-mill on Patoka Run, at 
the present site of the Eckert Mill. A few years later he added 
the machinery for sawing lumber. It was an old fashioned up- 
rio-ht saw. The dwelling house was built on the eastern bank on 
the bluff near the end of the present iron bridge. One end of 
the house projected over the run a few feet, and it is said to have 
been rather terrifying to one not accustomed to it. Col. B. B. 
Edmonston says that during a storm in August, 1827, this house 
was turned over into the river or pond below. Mrs. Enlow was 
in the house at the time, but was rescued without much injury. 
It was usual to find a small store in the neighborhood of a grist- 
mill in those times, and it is not improbable that some such was 
kept in the vicinity of this early mill, but if so, the fact has gone 
from the memory of the oldest settlers that still linger around 
the scene. The earliest families to settle in the town, were those 
of Col. Simon Morgan, who derived his title from the old militia 
system, and was for more than twenty years county clerk and re- 
corder, B. B. Edmonston, Sr., at different times associate and 
probate judge; Dr. A. B. McCrillis, the pioneer physician of this 
portion of the county, and long one of its leading citizens ; James 
McDonald, perhaps, the first white settler in the county, M. T. 
Powers ; Henry, Jacob and Benjamin Enlow. Most of the houses 
that were erected at that time were of log, as were the public 
buildings. It must have presented an ideal picture of a frontier 
village rising from the surrounding forests. It was civilization 
working its way across the continent in spite of nature's stern op- 
position. 

It is said that the first merchant was a man named Miller. 
He soon after sold to Simon Morgan, who kept store at the south- 
east corner of the public square for several years. Among the 
other early merchants were Samuel Reed, Joseph A. McMahan, 
John Hurst and Perry Hammond, the last now living in Peters- 
burg. The later merchants were John A. and W. C. Graham. 
William R. Hill, Mr. Divinity, Joseph Case, Charles and 
George Parker, John Mann, Decher & Kramer, William Malin, 

Isaac Newton, Hunter and Finley Alexander, George Lemmon, 

I© 



542 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUxNTY. 

Joseph Sermersheim and Nicholas Boring. During the fifties, 
the last kept a dry goods store and hotel at the site now occupied 
by Sermersheim' s jewelry store. The first man to keep a tavern 
in Jasper was James McDonald, at the place where Spayd's tin 
shop now stands. 

The first blacksmith was William Miles, who came in 1887, 
and had his shop north of the place where J. Kuebler's shop now 
stands. Some years later, he sold to John E. Hacker. The first 
physician was A. B. McCrillis, who came with the first settlers 
in the town. In 1838 Drs. Poison and Kruse came, and not 
much later Dr. Montgomery. Dr. R. M. Welman came late in 
the forties, about 1847, and was for many years the leading citi- 
zen of the county. He had formerly lived a while at Hunting- 
burgh. Edward Stephenson and William Sherrod were also 
early physicians, both of whom are now living. The former has 
held several important trusts in the county. The present busi- 
ness is as follows : 

Friedman Scheirick & Co., lumber, sash, doors, and blinds, 
and owners of the Eclipse Planing and Saw-mill, employing 
thirty-five men; Seibert & Klingle, staves, heading and barrels; 
Frank Joseph & Co., manufacturers and dealers of spokes; John 
Gramelspacher & Co., proprietors of Jasper Planing-mills, and 
dealers in lumber and builders' hardware; Benkert & Co., oak 
and hickory spokes ; Habig & Eckstein, brewers ; Andrew Krem}), 
manufacturer of pop and ginger-ale ; J. Alles & Bro., manufac- 
turers of furniture ; John Betz, saloon and hotel ; Joseph Buchart, 
general store; J. R. Chrismon, butcher; Clement Doane, Jasper 
Courier; Dubois County State Bank, T. Wertz, president, and J. 
Barton, cashier; Eckert Bros. <fe*Co., flouring millers; Conrad 
Eifert, watches; Henry Enthofen, hotel and saloon; Mrs. T. 
Erney, stoves, etc. ; C, Ferste, shoemaker ; Frank Fink & Son, 
confectioners; M. Friedman, druggist; Jacob Grosmann, books 
and stationery ; M. Gutgesell, shoemaker ; T. Herbig, saloon ; Mrs, 
F. A. John, hotel; Benjamin Kroedel, saloon; John Kuebler, 
wagon-maker; Maggie Kuebler, millinery; Sebastian Kuebler, 
general store and agricultural implements; Paul Kunkle, saloon; 
Kunkle & Eckstein, livery; Felix Lampert, wagons and agri- 
cultural implements; Leherberger, Kahn & Co., general store; A. 
J. McNerney, hotel and saloon; George Mehringer, agricultural 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 543 

implements ; Mehriuirer Bros., druggists; Isom Messmore, pho- 
tographer ; D. F. J. Miller, blacksmith ; Frederick Neudeck, hotel 
and saloon; Peter Nolir. hotel; Joseph Rottet, cigars; John Salb, 
saloon; Scheirich, Shiiler & Co., millers; Jose])h Schneider, sa- 
loon ; Isidor Schuhmacher, agricultural implements ; Louis Seng, 
Jr., hotel and saloon; J. F. Sermersheim, jeweler; M. A. Ser- 
mersheim & Co., general store; H. S. Sermersheim, clothing; 
Sermersheim & Triedman. livery; A. Sonderraan, books; Leo F. 
Spayd, tinware, etc. ; John and Mrs. Mary Troxler, saddles ; J. 
M. Griffin, Jasper Tarier ; J. B. Junker, dry goods ; Alois Gram- 
elspacher, groceries; T. Wertz,AV. H. Wells, E. J. Kempf, physi- 
cians; John Egg, confectioner; E. Dillon, dentist; Schumacher 
& Wilson, insurance 

Imorporniion. — In March, 1866, forty-eight citizens of Jas- 
per petitioned the board of county commissioners to have the 
town incorporated. They declared it to have a population of 
507. The board ordered the election for that purpose to be held 
on the 24th of the same month. At that time ninety-one votes 
were cast; sixty-six for and twenty-five against incorporation. 
The choice of officers were as follows: 

Board, Phillip Steringer, Sebastian Kuebler and Ignatz Eckert: 
Isidor Schuhmacher was marshal, clerk, treasurer and assessor. 
In 1867 the board was the same, Joseph Friedman, treasurer; 
August Litschgi, clerk; J. B. Melchoir, marshal. 1868, board, 
Henry Lange, Joseph Egg and Peter Nohr; clerk, John C. 
Schafer; treasurer, John W. Bretz; marshal, Joseph Roelly. 
1869, board, R. M. Welman, W. Erny, George Friedman; mar- 
shal, Anton Berger ; treasurer, John W. Bretz ; clerk, John C. 
Schafer. 1870, board, Joseph Egg, John Gramelspacher and E. 
A. Hochgesang ; clerk and treasurer, same as last year ; marshal, 
Reinhardt Rich. 1871, board, Philip Steringer, Joseph Rottet 
and George Mehringer; J. M. Deinderfer, clerk; Peter Nohr, 
marshal; Henry Lange, treasurer. 1872, board, George Mehrin- 
ger, Joseph Rottet and Henry Lange; W. Erny, treasurer; A. J. 
McNerney, marshal; AVilliam J. Hays, clerk, 1873, board, R. 
M. Welman, Joseph Egg and John W. Bretz; treasurer and 
clerk, same as last year; marshal, Frank Fink. 1874, board 
the same; clerk and treasurer same; marshal, Anthony Kraus. 
1875, board and treasurer same; clerk, B. L. Green; marshal, J. 



544 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

W. Rose. 1876, board, Joseph Friedman, Romuald Beck and 
Philip Steringer; clerk and marshal, same; treasurer, Joseph 
Roelle. 1877, board, Joseph Egg, Peter Scheirich and Mathias 
Gutgesell. 1878, boa^-d, John R. Chrismon, Paul Kunkle and 
Charles Soliga; clerk, B. S. Green; Joseph Roelle, treasurer; 
John E. Gardiner, marshal. 1879, board, Joseph Egg, D. F. J. 
Miller and Felix Lampert; clerk, B. S. Green; treasurer, A. J. 
McNerney; marshal, H. S. Melchoir. 1880, board, Charles Egg, 
John Troxler and Joseph Kraft ; clerk and treasurer, same as last 
year; marshal, John E. Gardiner. 1881, board, D. F. J. Miller, 
Joseph F. Sermersheim and Alois Renner ; clerk and treasurer 
same; marshal, M. A. Sweeney, In January Martin Scheirich 
was appointed trustee to fill vacancy, and Jacob Gosmann, clerk. 
Gosman has been in that office to the present time. In 1883, 
board same; John F. Mehringer, treasurer. 1884, board, Joseph 
F. Sermersheim, Martin Scheirich and John Salb; treasurer 
same; Leopold Gutzweiler, marshal. 1885, Joseph F. Sermer- 
sheim, John Salb and John R. Chrismon ; clerk, Jacob Gosmann ; 
treasurer, Joseph Roelle; marshal, Leopold Gutzweiler. 

As early as 1861 the citizens of the town began to prepare for 
the emergency of fires. A hook and ladder company was organ- 
ized and not long after a fire engine was purchased. Not long 
after the corporation was organized the control of these affairs 
was largely transferred to the board of trustees, and has ever since 
remained with that body. September, 1868, an engine house 
was erected, 10x30 feet, at a cost of about $100, and considerable 
hose purchased. The organization is known as the Jasper Fire 
Company, and is one of the things of which the citizens boast. 
At the close of the first year of municipal government the 
treasurer reported that the total receipts were $359.78, and the 
expenses $257.13, leaving a balance of more than $100 in the 
treasury. At the end of the second year, after an expenditure of 
$409.86, there remained a balance of only $5.93. In the winter 
of 1869-70 the town was re-surveyed and the corporate limits 
somewhat extended. In the spring of 1869, at the petition of 
several citizens, the town board ordered an appropriation of 
$10,000 to aid in the construction of the Falls City & Vincennes 
Railroad. Of course the money was never paid, because the road 
failed to materialize. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 545 

In April, 1872, corporation bonds to the amount of !$4:,00() 
were issued for the purpose of raising money to build the new 
schoolhouse. The bonds were to bear 7 per cent interest, and 
were payable from one to ten years. Their sale was somewhat 
slow, and after a time the interest was raised to 10 per cent on 
all that had not been taken. One year later $800 more Avere is- 
sued, and in April, 1877, another issue to the amount of $700 
was ordered. These bonds were all paid in 1884, ])ut the town is 
now in debt about $1,800, in outstanding corporation orders that 
are bearing interest. This was partly brought about by the 
building of a new engine house and town hall in 1884 at a cost of 
$800. In the fall of 1875 August Pfafflin, a civil engineer at 
Evansville, was employed to survey and grade the streets. 

Newspapers. — The first newspaper published in Dubois 
County was about the year 1846. It was called the American 
Eagle and had for its editor Henry Comiugore. His office was 
for awhile in the courthouse, which had then just been completed. 
He did not remain more than a couple of years, and then removed 
to Paoli, in Orange County, where he yet lives. His paper was 
Democratic. 

The Jasper Weekly Courier is the oldest newspaper published 
in Dubois County. The first number appeared March 19, 1858, 
and had the names of Mehringer, Doane and Smith at its head. 
It was announced to advocate the ''principles and policy peculiar 
to the Democratic party," a course it has consistently followed 
ever since. Before the end of a year the names of Mehringer 
and Smith disappeared and that of Clement Doane remained as edi- 
tor and owner. From that time on Mr. Doane has had the entire 
control of the paper, and his course has always been apju'oved by 
the party of the county and the people generally. During the 
war he was a faithful and earnest worker for the Union cause, 
and his position wielded large influence in favor of his country. 
At the outset the Courier was a five column folio and its size has 
been doubled since that time, and it is now a five column quarto. 
For ten years it was the only newspaper published in the county, 
and in that time its harvest was abundant. 

The Jasper Times, now owned and edited by J. M. Griffin, is 
the only other paper now published in the place. Its history has 
been too various for man's recollection, and its files have not been 



546 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

preserved. Mr. Griffin has had charge for about two years, and 
has succeeded in establishing it one of the things here to stay. 
Politically, it is independent. 

The Dubois County Bank was organized as a private bank in De- 
cember, 1882. John L. Forkner, president of the Exchange Bank, 
at Anderson, Ind., George Ross, treasurer of Madison County, and 
James M. Barton, also Anderson, were original owners and organ- 
izers. J. L. Forkner was the first president, and James M. Bar- 
ton, cashier. Mr. Barton at once moved to Jasper, and took 
charge of the affairs of the new bank. It first opened for business 
January 24, 1883. In June following, Mr. Ross sold his inter- 
est to Forkner, and thus the concern remained until August, 
1885. At that time Mr. Forkner retired, and the bank was incor- 
porated under the State laws with a capital of $25,000. The 
stockholders were James M. Barton, John N. Oberst, Friedman, 
Scheirich & Co., Mary Oberst, Joseph Friedman, Otto V. Oberst, 
Eckert Bros., John P. Norman, Phillip Dilly, Dilly & Leistuer, 
Henry Pfau, Adam Schmidt, Edward Sermersheim, Toliver 
Wertz, Oscar A. Trippett, John Tray lor, Elijah S. Hobbs, Clay 
Lemmon, Rudolph Bros., Napoleon B. Coffman, William B. 
Sherritt, Frank Joseph, AUes Bros., Andrew M. Sweeney, Sebas- 
tian Kuebler, Peter J. Gosman, George Mehringer, August 
Sonderman, M. A. Sermersheim & Co., Caroline Sonderman, John 
A. Sermersheim, Margaret E. Wininger, William A. Traylor, C. 
H. Rudolph, Richard F. Milburn, Joseph Buchart, John C. 
Peindorfer, M. Scheirich, Schuler & Co., and George Friedman. 
At a meeting of the stockholders July 25, 1885, the name was 
changed to the Dubois County State Bank. Toliver Wertz, Eli- 
jah S. Hobbs, Frank Joseph, August Sonderman and Joseph 
Friedman, were elected as directors. Of these at the first meet- 
ing, Toliver Wertz was elected president, and James M. Barton 
was chosen as cashier. This was the first bank organized in the 
county, and through shrewdness and foresight of its officers, was 
safely piloted through the panic of 1883-84. It is now doing an 
extensive and yearly increasing business, that is largely due to 
the management and popularity of its cashier, J. M. Barton. Mr. 
Martin J. Friedman, Jr., who has been employed in the bank ever 
since its organization, is now its book-keeper. 

HimfingburgJt. — The land on which the town of Huntingburgh 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 547 

is now situated, was purchased of the Government by Jacob 
Geiger in 1831'. He was at that time a resident of JefPerson County, 
Ky., but a few years later he came to this county, and made it his 
home until his death in 1857. The original town was laid out on 
the southwest quarter of Section 3-1, Township 2 south, Kange 5 
west. The first survey shows these streets running east and 
west South Boundary, South, VanBuren, Jackson, North and North 
Boundary. They are now called First, Second, Third, Fourth, 
Fifth and Sixth streets, respectively. It had East Boundary, East, 
Main, Geiger, West and West Boundary Streets, running north and 
south, now called Van Buren, Jackson, Main, Geiger, Walnut and 
Chestnut Streets. These names were changed in 1874, when a 
new survey of the town was made. When Geiger first projected 
the town, he donated two lots for school and church purposes, 
churches of all denominations to have use. He also gave a con- 
siderable tract for a cemetery, but that has. since been practically 
abandoned for that purpose. Before his purchase of the land, 
Geiger had been in the habit of coming to this section of the 
country to hunt, in company with other gentlemen from Kentucky, 
and in remembrance of that he named the town. It was first 
called Huntingdon, but that was so near like Huntington, that it 
caused trouble with the mails, and the name was changed to 
Huntingburgh. 

The earliest merchant of the town was John T.Donne, a son-in- 
laAv of Geiger and husband of Mrs, Mary A. Blemker. Mrs. Blem- 
ker is yet living in the town which she has seen spring up around 
her from the forests. From her much of the early history of the 
place was obtained, it is believed, with much accuracy. Donne's 
j)lace of business was of unhewed logs that stood where Leonard 
Bretz now has his store. It remained standing for several years. 
He was engaged in a general merchandising trade in a small 
way most of the time from about 1840 until his death, which oc- 
curred a few years later. In 1841 Geiger erected a steam grist- 
mill near the present site of the schoolhouse in the town. It 
was the first steam mill in the county, and the machinery was ta- 
ken from an old river boat and hauled on wagons from Troy. It 
remained standing for several years and was under the control of 
the Geiger family. Later the building was moved to another 
part of town and converted into a brewery. This mill had much 



548 ■ HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

tt) do with t]ie early prosperity of the town, as it brought people 
thoro who would not otherwise have come. William Helfrich had 
charge for sonie time. The second man to engage in selling 
goods at Huntingburgh was Herman Behrenscoles ; he began not 
long after Donne, and abt)ut the time the mill was built. He 
kept one of the old fashioned groceries where the customers were 
regaled with the "stronger water" of the times. He continued in 
trade for several years and ])ocame wealthy as compared to most 
of his neighbors. Leonard Bretz was perhaps the third merchant, 
having begun in 1851. From that time to the present he has 
been one of the leading business men of the town. In addition to 
these, the principal merchants during the decade of the fifties 
were Hayden and Pickhardt, W. & S. Bretz, Herman Rothert, 
William Campbell, Daniel Branstein and John G. Meyer. By 
that time the business of the town was well established, and it 
was one of the most prosperous villages in the county. 

Although the health of the place did not seem to demand it, 
yet the doctors came too. The first one was an American whose 
name seems to have been forgotten. The second was a German 
named Kreuse, and he came about 1850 and remained until his 
death. Other early physicians were Fred Scheller, Dr. Hughes, 
Dr. Isaac Beeler, Dr. Messick and R. M. Welman, all dead. The 
last removed to Jasper, and was for many years a leading physi- ■ 
cian of that place. A Dr. Adams was also an early resident there, 
but he is said now to be living in Petersburg. The postoffice 
was established sometime during the forties, and the postmasters 
have been William G. Helfrich, William Bretz, Sr., E. Pick- 
hardt, Herman Rothert, Henry Dufendach, John Brandenstein, 
C. C Schreeder and Mormon Fisher. 

Bernard Niehaus was the first blacksmith, and he was induced 
to locate there by Geiger giving him a town lot. Henry Roett- 
ger and Adam Arnesmann were the early wagon-makers. The 
first shoe-maker of the town was murdered a few years later by 
Jonathan AValker and another named Taylor. Walker was pros- 
ecuted and found not guilty ; Taylor left the country at once and 
was never heard from afterward. The })robabilities are that he was 
the actual murderer, although both he and Walker were engaged 
in the quarrel. The victim was the first person buried in the lot 
donated for a graveyard by Geiger. An early shoe-maker was 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNT V, 549 

Peter Belirens. At the place now owned by AVilliam Bretz and 
occupied by old Mrs. Rothert, the lirst hotel was kept by Mrs. 
Blemker. Scarcely had her si^^n been hung out ere a stranger 
asked admission. AVith the amount of his bill she paid for paint- 
ing her sign, and Huntingburgh had the best of accommodations 
for its traveling public. William Wesseler and H. Behrens were 
early tailors. E. J. Blemker started a tanyard about 1S49, Avhicli 
for some time did a large business. Late in the fifties, what 
is now the Union Grist-mill was built by Schaley and Rauscher, 
but since then it has changed owners many times. In 18()4, H. 
Boehner, who had for several years been a blacksmith in the town, 
built a tobacco house, but a few years later it was converted into 
the present Star Flouring-mill. 

IncorpordI ion.^-ln March, 18()(), thirty-eight persons living 
in the town petitioned the county boanl to have the town of Hunt- 
ingburgh incorporated. It then contained 370 inhabitants. The 
election was ordered for the 19th of the same month, and at that 
time sixty-five votes were cast for, and nine against incorporation. 
The election for officers resulted as follows: Trustees, Mormon 
Fisher, Herman Ilothert and E. J. Blemker; clerk, E. Brundick; 
treasurer, E. Pickhardt. Tlie board met and organized on the 
14-th of May, 18()(). The school trustees, appointed in June, 
«ivere E, Pickhardt, William Moenkhaus, and Dr. Isaac Beeler. S. 
Williams was allowed !i^25 for surveying the town. A jail was 
built that cost about $100; Thomas Enlow was builder. And 
$50 were spent in repairing four public wells in the town. The 
following year M. Fisher, H. Rothert and F. Pickhardt composed 
the board. A complete list of the board officers down to the pres- 
ent time, so far as can be ascertained from the town records, is 
given below; the years 1866 and 1867 are given above. For 18(58, 
board, Herman Boehmer, E. R, Brundick and William Moenk- 
haus; E. Pickhardt, treasurer; M. Fisher, clerk; William Koch, 
marshal. For 18()9, board, G. Dickraann, Jonas Killron and 
Nicholas Smith; Daniel Hughes, clerk; John F. Geiss, treasurer; 
James Lemands, marshal. For 1870, board, Arnold H. Miller, 
E. J. Blemker and M. Fisher ; D. Hughes, clerk ; E. Pickhardt, 
treasurer; John Berger, marshal. For 1871, board of five mem- 
bers, William Moenkhaus, F. W, Katterhenny, Mormon Fisher, 
H. Rothert and August Ramsbrok ; Leonard Bretz, treasurer ; C. 



550 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUx^TY. 

W. Dufeiulach, clerk; A. H. Miller, marshal. For 1S72, board 
and officers same as 1871, except Henry Landgrebe, marshal. 
For 1S78, board and treasurer the same; William Pickhardt, 
clerk; S. A. Miller, marshal. For 187-4, board, E. J. Blemker. 
M. Fisher. H. Rothert, A. Ramsbrok and Jacob Behrens; Fred 
Arensman, marshal. For 1875, board, J. H. Arensman, Jacob 
Behrens, E. Pickhardt, William Thies, and x4.ugust Ramsbrok ; S. 
Bretz, treasurer ; William Pickhardt, clerk ; Fred Arensman, mar- 
shal. For 187(>, board, E. J. Blemker, Henry Schneck, M. Fisher, 
H. Rothert and H. Diekman ; clerk, William Bretz, Sr. ; treas- 
urer, S. Bretz; marshal, S. A. Miller. For 1877, board, Samuel 
Litchfield, G. P. Williams, A. H. Miller, H. Rothert and H. 
Diekman; clerk, John Beatty. For 1878, board, H. Boehmer, G. 
P. Williams, H. Landgrebe, H. Rothert and A. Ramsbrok ; G. W. 
Hallwachs, clerk. For 1879, board the same except Fred Shulte 
vice Boehmer. For 1880, board the same except H. Klostermann 
vice Shulte. For 1881, board the same except Adam Meurer vice 
Rothert ; John F. Meinker, marshal ; E. R. Brundick, treasurer ; 
C, M. Mears, clerk. For 1882, board same; H. M. Harris, clerk. 
For 1883, board the same; M. Fisher, clerk. For 1884, board 
the same except S. A. Miller vice Klostermann, resigned. For 
1885, board, Adam Stratmann, Valentine Bamberger, Henry 
Landgrebe, Adam Maurer, and August Ramsbrok; John F. Tie* 
man, clerk; E. R. Brundick, treasurer; Charles Veeck, marshal. 
For the first year of the incorporation, the treasurer's report 
shows the expenses to have been S319.S5, and the receipts 
$30-4.20, leading a balance of $15.65 against the town. The next 
year the receipts were $528.19, and the expenditures left a bal- 
ance of $158.47 in the treasury. In 1869, Martin E. Meyers pe- 
titioned for a dissolution of the corporation, but the petition was 
rejected. In 1872 an order was passed authorizing an issue of 
$5,000 in bonds, due in one to ten years, at 6 per cent interest. 
This was for the purpose of building the schoolhouse. In July, 
1874, an ordinance was passed to compel each person owning a 
house in the town to keep a ladder and bucket always ready for 
use in case of fire. During the same year a grade was estab- 
lished. In July, 1885, a committee of three was appointed to 
investigate the expense and practicability of buying a fire engine. 
Shively Post No. 68 at Huntingburgh was chartered June 2, 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 



551 



1882, with these officers: C. C. Schreeder, Com. ; M. Fisher, Sr., 
U. C. ; J. H. Beckmann, V. C. ; J. Murry, quartermaster ; W. R. Mc- 
Mahan, surgeon ; T. R. Green, chaplain ; Frank Kinchel, O. D. and 
James Collins, O. G. In addition to these the first members were 
C. M. Mears, W. W. Shoulders, A. Barrowman, G. W. Bockting, 
J. H. Lemmon, G. P. AVilliams, Marion Martin, J. F. Meinker, J. 
G. Lemming, Daniel Melton, H. L. Wheat, R. M. Welman, F. Sen- 
ninger, J. R. M. Lemmon, H. Dieckmann, W. F. Kemp, H. Weiss- 
man. W. B. Pirple and G. Koch, Jr. The Post has been flourish-, 
ino- and it owns about §200 worth of property. It has mustered 
in thirty-six members since its organization. The present officers 
are J. F. Tieman, Com. ; Joseph Drake, S. U. C. ; William T. 
Shoulders, J. U. C. ; J. H. Lemmon, chaplain; G. B. Mont- 
gomery, surgeon ; C. C. Schreeder, O. D. ; M. Fisher, Q. M. and 
J. F. Meinker, O. G. A lodge of Masons was formerly here, but 
has been moved to Jasper and will be noticed in connection with 
that town. The newspapers of Huntingburgh are two,* the Signal 
and the Argns. The Signal was established in 1807, with E. 
Reininghaus, editor, and the Signal Company owners. It was a 
five column folio at the start but has since been enlarge to a nine 
column folio and has always been printed in the German lan- 
guage. In the fall of 1808 Reininghaus suspended the publica- 
tion, and in January. 1809, the Signal Company undey the 
management of Ernst Pickhardt took charge. During the year 
1870 the paper was conducted for some time by B. Quinke, but 
at the end of his time Pickhardt resumed control. From that 
time to the present he has been in charge and owns the whole 
concern. It has nearly always been independent in politics, 
although an occasional turn is taken in favor of Democratic views. 
At Mr. Pickhardt's hands the paper has prospered and now has a 
circulation of about 1,(^00. The office is equipped with first-class 
material and is one of the best in this part of the State. First- 
class facilities for pamphlet and other job work are on hand; a 
bindery is being added. It is printed by steam-power. 

The Argus is the only Republican paper published in Dubois 
County. Originally its home was at Ireland where it was edited 
by S. P. Palmer and owned by the Ireland Argus Association. 

*Since writing the above another newspaper has been established at Huntingburgh, under 
flattering prospects, with Mr. Schley as editor. 



552 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

After a few months it passed into the hands of N. H. AVilson, 
with Palmer still editor. In November of the same year a stock 
company was organized with most of the stockowners in the 
neighborhood of Ireland. In the spring of 1881, Palmer was 
superseded by Thomas Dillon, who leased it for one year, and in 
June following moved it to Huntingburgh, where it has ever since 
been published. In February, 1882, Dillon surrendered his lease 
to the company. There being some debt upon the concern, ad- 
ditional stock was raised and a reorganization effected under the 
name of the Dubois Argus Association. The directors are E. J. 
Blemker, F. W. Katterhenry, Jacob H. Lemmon, N. H. Wilson 
and C. C. Schreeder. The last named gentleman was appointed 
manager and publisher, and with Eobert H. Schley as editor, 
took charge. In the summer of 1885 Mr. Schley retired and 
Mr. Schreeder now has full control of the paper both as editor 
and manager. Mr. Schley has lately become editor of a new 
paper there. Huntingburgh is perhaps the most prosperous town 
in Dubois County at the present time. The main line of the 
Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Kailroad was finished through 
the place in the early part of 1882, and for several years before 
then what is now called the Evansville branch was built to the 
town. It is now the headquarters for the train dispatcher of the 
whole road and several officers have their offices there. It is the 
termination of the several divisions. The tobacco business car- 
ried on here is very large. Herman Rothert has been engaged 
in it for about twenty-five years and buys annually from 800,000 
to 1,500,000 pounds. A large amount of this is marketed in 
England. S. Bretz & Co., buy from 300,000 to ()0(),()00 pounds 
yearly, and H. Dufendach about the same amount. There are 
two grist-mills ; the Huntingburgh Stave and Lumber Factory ; a 
pottery by IT. Waltz; stone pump factory by Joseph Miller; two 
wagon factories by William Roettger and Joseph Blessinger, five , 
smith shops by John Klee, H. Schneck, M. Dittner, H. Kloster- 
man and Charles Veek ; agricultural implements by Behrens Bros. ; 
two stove and tin stores by Phil Baumberger and Charles Shur- 
ing ; two drug stores by C. W. Schwartz and E. R. Brundick ; 
merchants, Katterhenny Bros., A. Katterhenny & Sons, C. W. 
Dufendach & Co., H. Dufendach, L. Bretz, Schroer & Katterjohn, 
L. Jones & Son; grocers, P. T. Gresham, Henry Moenkhans, Jr., 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 553 

C. F. Pfifer, W. L. Bretz, Miller & Shafer; hardware, Frost & 
Wagner; Huntingburgh Bank, H. Eothert, president, D. Reuto- 
pohler, cashier; five boot and shoe dealers by H. Landgrebe 
Bro. & Co., V. Baneberger, G. Dieckman, S. & F, Hildebrandt; 
marble dealer, Charles Becker ; tannery by E. J. Blemker ; saddles 
and harness, John Branden, Stein & Son and J. Krueger; furni- 
ture dealers, William Winkenhoever, A. Hoefiing and William 
Thies; planing-mill by H. Winkenhoever & Co.: woolen-mill by 
J. Meissner ; confectioners, J. Sprauer and R. Rude & Co. ; 
undertakers, H. Dieckman and C. Oefinger; jewelry store by C. 
Kornrumpf; milliners, Mrs. Annie Ebbert, Ella Fisher, Mary 
Koevner, Caroline Mendel and Isabelle Kasper ; physicians, W. R. 
McMahan, G. P. Williams, C. W. Schwartz, E. G. Lukemyer and 
Dr. Scheliha; merchant tailors, D. Salat, H. Krusenklaus and 
V. Heller ; dentists, Wilson Bros, and M. F. Hargrave ; four brick 
yards, five hotels, and artisans of all classes usually met with in 
a growing town of this kind and size. 

Ferdinand. — The history of the town of Ferdinand bears a 
close connection with the German settlement in the county. In 
addition to this it has a peculiar and interesting history of its 
own. Rev. Joseph Kundeck was its founder. That pious gen- 
tleman came to Dubois County late in the thirties, as Catholic 
pastor at Jasper. In addition to this he had charge of a congre- 
gation at Troy, in Perry County. That was the place where near- 
ly all the shipping for this part of the county was done in that 
time, and the distance was too great to be made in one day with 
a load of merchandise. Father Kundeck conceived the idea of 
establishing a town between the two places, where the people 
would stay over night on their journey. He thought to estab- 
lish a town where the poorer classes from the city could come and 
live in more ease than they had been accustomed to. The whole 
territory around Ferdinand was the Government property and 
dense forest. He selected the site for his prospective town, and 
had a plat of it drawn. The hill where the chapel now stands he 
named Calvary Hill, The plat as originally drawn, contains the 
following, written in German : 

"Plan of the town of Ferdinand, in the North American free 
State of Indiana, Dubois County, established January 8, 1840, in 
honor of His Majesty, Ferdinand I, Emperor of Austria, and 



554 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

dedicated to His Highness. l\y Joseph Kundeck. Missioiiarv (reii- 
era], Yicar of Viiicei)iies, Iiidiana." 

It is said that his object in calling the })lace Ferdinand was 
to get a donation of money from the Emperor for whom it was 
named. It is also said that in this he was successful, })ut that 
statement has notliing but hearsay evidence to support it. Such 
a thing seems within probability, especially when the large 
amounts of money that were early spent in this part, is taken into 
consideration. But of that the reader shall be judge. After the 
plan was fully matured in the mind of Rev. Kundeck. but before 
the land was bought, he made a trip to the cities of Louisville, 
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, where he held meetings in the Catho- 
lic Churches, and urged the poorer classes to come to the "gar- 
den of Indiana," and settle at the town of Ferdinand. Many fol- 
lowed his advice, and some even went so far as to give him money 
to buy lots with. This was what he wanted, for money must 
be had before the land could be purchased. On his return he 
bought the land as contemplated, and upon the arrival of those 
who had purchased land in the town, their particular piece was 
determined by casting lots. This was the method pursued, not 
toward the town property alone, but to the adjoining country 
as well. Several farms of eighty acres each were thus pur- 
chased by Father Kundeck for people who had never seen the 
wilds of Indiana. But when the settlers began to arrive their 
disappointment was great. They expected to find a town of some 
consequence, and" instead they found nothing but the native for- 
ests. Some few returned, and many more wanted to. Nothing 
but the seductive power and influence of the Catholic Church 
could have maintained the settlement from abandonment. The 
community is one of the most prosperous in Dubois County, now, 
and is almost exclusively German. An account of the founding 
and building of the church at Ferdinand with which the town is 
intimately connected, will be found elsewhere in this volume. As 
just indicated, the original sale of the lots was made in the city 
of Louisville, but after the ground had been purchased and sur- 
veyed, it is probable that another sale took place upon the scene 
of the new and rising town. 

The town of Ferdinand is situated in the township of the same 
name, on the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 3 south, 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 555 

Hange 4 Avest. On account of defections in the original survey, 
the town was resurveyed in October, 1857. In April, 1860, an 
addition was made to the town by Rt. Rev. Maurice de St. Palais, 
Bishop of Yincennes, and another by the same person in 18r)8. 

It is said that Joseph Schneider was the first merchant in 
Ferdinand. He built the house now occupied by Mrs. Reinaker 
and conducted a general merchandise business for several years. 
He came soon after the establishment of the town and moved to 
Troy several years later. John Beckmann was one of the earliest 
merchants in the place, perhaps the second. He continued in 
trade until his death and succeeded in acquiring a considerable' 
fortune. His sons are now doing an extensive business in the 
place and are the leading merchants and produce buyers of the 
town. Another early merchant was a man named Joseph Meyer, 
who was succeeded by William Poschen. Early in the sixties he 
sold to A. T. Sundemann who continued until his death in 188-4. 
His wife is still doing a small trade. The successors of Joseph 
Schneider were Jacob Linegang, William and Phillip Wagner. 
Joseph Rickemann and Joseph Mehling have also been merchants 
at this place. In 1853 John B, Gohmann commenced doing a 
general merchandise business which he has successfully con- 
tinued ever since. Others have done a small trade at different 
times at Ferdinand but after a short time have departed for other 
parts. 

Michael Spade started a horse mill some time early in the for- 
ties, perhaps sooner than that time. He sold to Peter Miller who 
continued it for a while. He also had a saw-mill and a little 
later put up a steam grist-mill. His son Peter Miller, Jr., is yet 
operating a good mill at the old site. Besides this the town has 
another grist-mill owned by Hoppenjans & Willmes. It is also 
operated by steam. 

The first physician was Dr. Seifert who came late in the for- 
ties and remained but a few years. Since him the physicians 
have been Drs. Keller, William Shundermann, Matthew Kempf, 

Menges, Charles Knapp, E. J. Kempf, Seifert, Venne- 

mann, Paul Kempf and Joseph Bockhold, the last three now prac- 
ticing there. 

The postoffice was established about the year 1845 and these 
persons have been postmasters: John G. Steen, William Cooper, 



556 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

John B, Gohmann, Mrs. John B. Gohmann, John Harmon Beck- 
mann and A.J. Fisher. A large amount of tobacco is raised in the 
neighborhood of Ferdinand and a heavy trade in that article is car- 
ried on. The first man to ship tobacco from this place was Albert 
Toebbe in 1849 or 1850. That hogshead brought him a profit of 
about $25, which was considered a large amount at that time. About 
1,000,000 pounds are bought here each year, the principal buyer 
being John H. Beckmann. The first mechanics were John G. 
Timmerman, shoe-maker; Michael Demuth, wagon-maker; Mat- 
thew Haven, blacksmith; Jacob Garber, carpenter. Dr. Paul 
Kempf is the only druggist. A lawyer located here several years 
ago, but the people concluded they did not need a representative 
of that profession and it is said they egged him out of the town. 
Since then others have not ventured. Eight saloons vend their 
refreshments. 

Holland. — The town of Holland was laid out by Henry Kunz, 
May 20, 1859. The original plot shows four streets; Walnut. 
Elm, Sycamore and Mulberry, running north and south, and two, 
Indiana and Ohio running east and west. The lots were sixty in 
number, but an addition of twenty lots was made by Sandusky 
Williams on the 12th of October, 1866. The town was named 
for the nativity of its proprietor. Kunz had settled there about 
the year 1855, having purchased the land while it was yet cov- 
ered with the forest. His house was the first one erected in the 
place and soon after began keeping merchandise for retailing. 
His first storehouse was the porch of an old fashioned log 
house. As a place for keeping his calico he used a trunk, and 
when his stock grew too large for that, he made a wareroom of 
the smoke house. From the beginning his business continued to 
increase, and in 1874 he built a large and commodious store 
room, and filled it with the largest stock that had ever been kept 
in the place. He continued in the mercantile business until his 
death in January, 1885. The family still carry on the trade at 
the old stand. Some time early in the sixties, William Heitmann 
began doing a general retail trade, and for several years before 
then he had been in business near the town. Beginning about 
the year 1872, Mrs. W. Keller carried on a trade for twelve years. 
Other merchants have been Frederick Wibbeler, H. J. Meyer, 
Caldemyer & Co., and Smith k Todrauk. The business of the 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 5^^ 

town is now as follows: general merchants, Eothert & Bro,, 
Loeler & Weishama, Wibbeler & Hemmer; Dr. Rust and Dr. 
Stork, druggists. The first physician was Dr. F. Eust, who came 
about 1800, Dr. Jasper Clifford came about ten years ago, and 
Dr. Stork in 1880. John J. Meyer and John Lubbert built a good 
steam grist-mill about 1878. It has both buhr and roller process, 
is a frame building and valued at SO, 000. The mill is well 
patronized and the owners ship large quantities of flour. Chris- 
tian Roetger and Louis Lammers own a good saw and planing- 
mill near town and do considerable lumber business. George 
Bruning & Co. own and operate another saw-mill. Ernst Keller 
was the first wagon-maker in the town and that business is now 
done by Henry Lammers and Frederick Wellmeyer & Co. ; Au- 
gust Finke is harness-maker and saddler; Harmon Eggers and 
John Wellmeyer are dealers in boots and shoes. The first black- 
smith was Rudolph Mohlenkamp. Rauscher & Steinkamp are 
there now. J. H. Bruning is a furniture dealer and Henry Weiss- 
hana, cooper. 

Ireland. — One of the most pleasant villages in Dubois 
County is Ireland, situated in Madison Township on Section 19, 
Township 1 south. Range 5 west. It was first called American 
City by the proprietor, James Stewart, but the name was soon 
changed. In this vicinity some of the earliest settlements in the 
county were made and it is in the garden of Dubois County. 
The first house in the town was built by Henry Green and it was 
afterward occupied. by a man whose name was probably Ewing, 
and who taught school in the neighborhood. That house is yet 
standing and now occupied by Mrs. Monroe. That was about the 
year 1842. The second building was erected by Dr. E. A. 
Glezen in the fall and spring of 1852-53. That house is also 
standing and has long been known as the Ireland Hotel. Isaac 
Hardin is the present proprietor. The third building of any 
consequence was the steam flouring-mill erected by John Cooper 
in 1855-56. This was the making of Ireland, as it was a first- 
class mill and did a large business, and continued to be the main 
stimulant to the trade of the town until it was burned in Sep- 
tember, 1882. It was at that time mostly owned by John P. 
Norman and its destruction was a severe blow to the business in- 
terests of the town. The first merchant in the township was at 



560 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Ireland, his name was Ephraim Woods and his merchandise was 
kept in a small building near where Mrs. Monroe now lives. 
That was in 1853, and about two years later he sold to Alsephus 
McGinnis, who, after two or three years more was bought out by 
Harvey Green. His successors have been L. R. Taylor, M. B. 
Dillon, Thomas K. Fleming, Armstrong & Hardin. Dillon 
began early in the sixties and remained until 1869. In addition 
to his merchandising he was for many years the principal 
manager of the grist-mill. Other stores were started and 
among the merchants were J. G. Stewart & Sons, A. N. 
Thomas & Bro., Thomas & Hobbs, H. N. Wilson, Elijah Stewart, 
Thomas H. Dillon, Isaac Fowler, Mr. Kahn and Joe Calvin. 
The firm of Dillon, Norman & Co. began in 1872, and 1879 was 
succeeded by Norman & Stewart. Since 1883 John P. Norman 
has been the sole owner and does a large trade. The druggists 
have been Z. C. Kelso, Mr. Blackburn, E. G. Strain and Dr. G 
L. Parr. Dr. Edward A. Glezen was the first physician and cam 
in 1846. The others have been Mr. Harrison, Benjamin Free 
land, Mr. Blackburn, Z. C. Kelso, G. S. Parr and C. C. McCown 
Dr. Havillah Hobbs lived on the Hobbs' farm and from about 
1855 for a few years did considerable practice. 

The first postoffice in the township was established by Samuel 
Potlethwait, about 1847, on the Mahin farm. It was called Alder 
Creek, and did not last more than a year. When Ephraim 
Woods started his store in 1853, at Ireland, he was appointed 
postmaster, and ever since then^the office has been kept up, and 
his successors in business were his successors in office, down to 
M. B. Dillon. Samuel Jacobs followed Dillon, and R. A. Arm- 
strong, Z. C. Kelso and John M. Parker have held it to the pres- 
ent. The wagon-makers are Matthew Reise and M. Steinhart; 
Raughley Horton, Romel Beck and A. Baumert, shoe-makers; 
Thomas Kellams and Samuel N. Hilt have bean blacksmiths; 
two hotels — the Ireland House and one by Mrs. Ferguson. Ire- 
land has a lodge of Masons, and one of Odd Fellows. A lodge 
of the A. O. of U. W. was established a few years ago, but it has 
not been prosperous, and is not now in working order. Ireland 
Lodge No. 388, F. & A. M., was chartered May 25, 1869, with 
Oliver Hobbs, W. M. ; Raughley Horton, S. W., and Lansden R. 
Taylor, J. W. The other members at its organization were W. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 5$1 

Monroe, B. W. Armstrong, A, M. Thomas, John W. Harington 
and I. B. Crecelis. The lodge has been reasonably prosperous, 
and now has a membership of thirty. In 1870 a hall was built 
at a cost of about $1,800. It is all paid for, and there is money 
in the treasury besides. The present officers are W. H. H., Green, 
W. M. ; A. J. Vest, S. W. ; R. F. Milburn, J. W. ; W. T. Cooper^ 
secretary, and J. W. Lemmon, treasurer. 

The Odd Fellows lodge was organized May 15, 1875, by 
Byron Brenton, of Pike County, and had these officers: J. R 
Armstrong, N. G. ; B. F. Langford, V. G. ; James Corn, record- 
ing secretary; Aaron C. Ferguson, permanent secretary, and 
Heninan Haskins, treasurer Other members were Charles Hor- 
ton, R. A. Armstrong, EJ^ah and S. H. Stewart and Thomas 
Anderson. The lodge has been prosperous, and now has a good 
hall. The present members are M. T. and W. R. Anderson, E. 
•W. Crosier, Thomas Harris, L. E. Horton, W. L. Britton, Thomas 
Anderson, G. W. Haskins, L, L. and E. V. Cooper, J. H. Arm- 
strong, Edward and Winfield Sweeny. The officers are I. L. 
Hardin, N. G. ; G. L. Parr, Y. G. ; Parks Campbell, recording 
secretary ; Elijah Stewart, permanent secretary ; Harvey Stewart, 
treasurer. 

Birdseye. — The town of Birdseye was laid out January 24, 
1880, and at that time consisted of 33 lots in Section 25, Town- 
ship 2 south. Range 3 west, along the Air Line Railroad. The 
proprietors were Martha J. and Enoch E, Inman, Mary M. and 
E. H. Baxter, John G. and Sarah J. Pollard, and Scott Austin. 
The acknowledgment was made before Allen Cox, justice of the 



The first merchants were Peter Newton and George Alvey, 
partners, who began business in 1872, while the railroad was be- 
ing constructed. A year after Newton became sole owner, and a 
a little later moved to Anderson City, thus leaving Birdseye with- 
out a merchant. In 1876 E. H. Baxter began a small business, 
which kept increasing until 1882, when he sold to John T. Bundy, 
who is now doing a large trade, Baxter began again, and his 
successor, George F. Atkins, is still engaged in trade. In 1882 
A. J. and C. J. Hubbard began a merchandise business, which 
they are still conducting. . Herman and Augustus Koerner began 
in 1884, but the firm has changed and is now composed of 



562 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

William Koerner and Frank Zimmer. The druggists have been 
J. M. Sanders, who began in 1882 and a year later sold to W. H. 
Farver, who has continued ever since. C. J. Mayfield began in 
1884. The confectioners are John I. King, Jacob Swartz, John 
Hubbs and E. T. Lovelette. The building of the railroad has 
opened up a large lumber business along its line. One of the 
principal points for this class of trade is Birdseye. The first 
planing-mill was started by Bundy Bros., in the early part of 1883, 
and they have done a large and prosperous trade ever since, 
Heber Ingle has conducted a lumber yard since 1872, and in ad- 
dition has controlled several saw-mills in this vicinity. His bus- 
iness is extensive. Staves have been manufactured by Hubbard 
Bros, since 1882, Koerner Bros, since 1883, and Gibson & Mc- 
Donald since 1884. Glassford & Co. do a lumber trade, and are 
engaged in a large railroad tie business. Thomas A. King was 
made the first postmaster about 184G, and he continued to hold 
that place until his death in 1873. His wife, Martha J. King, 
was his successor, and since then James Kellams, E. H. Baxter 
and John T. Bundy have held the ofl&ce. Three hotels, 1 livery, 
1 millinery store, 2 physicians, 3 saloons and several smaller 
stores, and mechanics of various kinds combine to make Birdseye 
a thriving town. 

E. R. Hawn Post No. 266 of the G. A. R. was chartered De- 
cember 28, 1883, with the following members: E. R. Huff, Com. ; 
S. M. Nash, Sr., Vice-Com. ; E. H. Baxter, Jr., Vice-Com. ; Joseph 
F. Faulkner, Thompson Garland, Daniel H. Burt, Abraham B. 
Tower, John W. Mason, E. E. Inman, Robert McMahel and Fred 
Miller. The present officers are : E. H. Baxter, Commander ; J. 
W. Jacobs, Sr., Vice-Com. ; and Robert McMahel, Jr., Vice-Com. 
This post now has thirty-two members and is flourishing. 

Birdseye Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 604 was chartered October 2, 
1883, with the following members: William Chamberlain, N. G. ; 
Joseph Brown, V. G. ; J. W. Jacobs, secretary ; A. Pecou, treasurer ; 
George W. Sigler, E. H. Baxter, and C. M. Parks. The lodge is 
in good standing financially and has a membership of twenty-two. 
The present officers are C. M. Parks, N. G., E. H. Baxter, V; G., 
H. W. Farver, secretary ; J. O. Nash, treasurer. In the fall of 1883 
steps were taken that finally brought about the incorporation of 
Birdseye. The first meeting of the board of trustees wds on the 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 56B 

26th of December of that year. The members were H. Koerner, 
Enoch E. Inman and John O. Nash. Alonzo W. Pinnick was 
town treasurer ; C. J. Mayfield, clerk, and Samuel B. Miller, mar- 
shal. In May, 1884, the following were elected: William Koer- 
ner, C. J. Mayfield and Edward Wells, trustees ; A. W. Pinnick, 
treasurer; G. F. Atkins, clerk, and Thomas Moore, marshal. In 
1885: W. E. Wells, John G. Pollard and W. N. Koerner, trus- 
tees ; A. W. Pinnick, treasurer ; S. B. Moore, clerk ; and Jacob 
Harmon, marshal. But little business has as yet been done by 
the town board. A lock-up has recently been ordered, and the 
streets are receiving most of the attention of the authorities. 

Schnellville. — About the year 1864 Henry Schnell began doing 
a merchandise trade at this place. It is situated on Section 16, 
Township 2 south, Range 3 west, and near the northern boundary 
of Jefferson Township. Schnell continued in trade for some time. 
In the latter part of the seventies he built a grist and saw-mill at 
the place, which did much for the village. His two sons are now 
operating it. Joseph E. Bohart is now the only merchant at the 
place and does a good trade. The first smith was David Wirsing 
and the present one is Joseph C. Streigel. Dr. J. R. Railing 
settled there about 1868 and stayed four years. Dr. O. B. Grey 
came soon after Railing and remained about five years. The 
third physician was Joseph F. Faulkner, who practiced there 
from 1873 to 1883, and then moved to Birdseye. Others have 
been David Younger, John Denbo and John P. Salb, the last now 
there. William Seller does a good business at wagon -making. 
The shoe-makers are Joseph Brosmer and Henry Gress. A fur- 
niture store is owned by Matthew Nye. Schnellville is in a very 
good agricultural district and for a small place it is said to do a 
thriving trade. 

Bretzville. — The first settler at the site of this hamlet was 
William Bretz, a father of the present William Bretz, who located 
there in 1850. The town was laid out by him in 1866 or 1867. 
About the same time John M. Deindorfer and Martin Friedman 
opened a store, but the firm was shortly afterward changed to 
Deindorfer & Shorts. In the year 1848 Phillip Frick, Sr., and 
George F. Schurz opened a store about one mile east of Bretzville. 
Frick's widow came into the village in 1878 and has conducted a 
store ever since. She has but a small stock of goods. The post- 



564 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

office was established in 1866 with Matthew Schmidt, postmaster. 
His successors have been William Bretz, Phillip M. Frick and 
J. M. Deindorfer. In November, 1882, the office was suspended 
but was re-established in January, 1884, with Rev. George F. 
Englehardt the officer. They now have a daily mail. For sev- 
eral years William Bretz ran a wagon and blacksmith shop, but 
he has now practically retired. The schoolhouse was built in 
1880. The first teacher was James Murray and the present is 
George F. Englehardt. 

Haysvillc. — It is said the first settler at the site of Haysville 
was Jos.eph Kelso, who came in the year 1816, at least that is the 
date he entered land in the county. The records show that Willis 
Hays bought land in this vicinity in 1818, and it is for him that 
the town was named. The town is said to have been laid out in 
1835 by Moses Kelso, and it is located on Section 25, Township 1 
north. Range 5 west. It is in one of the earliest settled portions of 
the county. Willis Hays was the first merchant and probably 
began some time early in the twenties. He was one of the prom- 
inent early settlers and was for several years associate judge. 
Moses Kelso was for many years a leading citizen of Haysville 
and was largely interested in its commercial prosperity and was for a 
while probate judge of the county. About 1840 he had a wool 
carding-machine, which he kept in operation for nearly a decade. 
Other merchants of the place have been Johnson & Mahan, 
Gibson Brown, Elias & Clinton Bruner, James S. Brace, Mr. 
Shaffer, Leherberger & Kahn and the present merchants, the 
Rudolph Brothers. The first hotel was kept by Gibson Brown 
and then came James S. Brace. William McDonald kept tavern 
not far from where Haysville now stands in 1812. A blacksmith 
named Hatch was the first to locate here and he was succeeded by 
a man named Meyers, father-in-law of George Keifner, the pres- 
ent, and for many years past, the tillage smith. The pioneer 
physician was a Dr. Spore who probably came some time in the 
thirties. He was succeeded by William Sherritt and since then 
several have practiced for a time. For the last sixteen years Dr. 
DeMott has been the cure-all or kill-all for the community. A 
harness shop, a shoe shop and two hotels and saloons constitut*^ 
the balance of the business interests of the place. 

Hillham. — For a third of a century Hillham has been a trad- 



Hisr(M;v OF Dciiois corxTi 



565 



ir.i^ point. Jolni A. Wiiiiiiu-tM- ]h-j;:\]\ (\o\ivj: a genoral trade in 
InoO. jiml (■(.iitiimtMl s<'\.M-i! yenrs. SoIoidou Williams opened a 
-uiall dr\ :()(..!< ;md i:r(u'."r_\ store about the year 1S();3, and re- 
'.;i;iiii('(l (lutil l^To. 'lilt' next niei'ciinnts were Dr. AValker <fe Bro., 
who carried <ni m :4-iMu*ral nici-cliandisiiii;- husmess for aboutone year 
;in<l wciv l)urne<l out. Soon after, or aliout the year iSC)!',. Freeman 
d- iMcCanv!! oj.-.Mied (]uitt' an cxttMisivc Imsiness. They did not 
ronlinuc it \rr\ lon^. but about thr.M- years later J. !>. Freeman 
l>fcanif thi- s..lr o\vu»m- of a ii^tuieral stoi'e. but ceased about 1H75. 
Not loii:^- ;ift.T. he bc^an a^ain in th.- name of John Price, in which 
nianniM- it \\a> conductcil al)out two years, and then ])assed into 
t'-.c liands -'i >b-C;iiivll llros. in 1^77. Dr. William A. Line put 
II. a small r-tock of <lrug.-. and he has hom time to time enlarged 
his businc». until he now does the leading business in dry goods, 
-K.cefies and genefal merchandising. He also practices medi- 
cine, and was the tiist physician in the [)lace where he located in 
l-^f,.'. Other doctors have l);>eu AVilliairi Walker, Mr. Courtney, 
•b.el S. Ijlacknnm aiid Charles W. Newland who has been there 
>::!.e InM). Thet(.wn of Hillhani is located tm Secticm 18, Town- 
>hij) 1 nofth. Range;! west. It is the extreme northeast corner 
of Columbia Township and Dubois County. A Masonic lodge 
Wis or:,'-a]iized there in ls7~). and among its charter members 
weiv ,) nines B. Freeman. William M. Hoggart. John W. Sim- 
mons. Janu's 1{. Wininger and Willis A. Charnes. The charter 
\\.(s suii-endereti in iSS'i. The postoflice was established in ISBO, 
and the following persons have been postmasters: Solomon W. 
Williams. AVilliam A. Line. J. 11 Freeman, John N. Howe, 
James BradtUK J. S. Blackman and C. W. Newland. From the 
n.iml)er of physicians that have occupied it one w(mld think the 
otfic.MU bad health. 

Poricrsrilii-. This town has the distinction of having ])een the 
tiist capital of I)ul)ois County, and cons(|euently dates its begin- 
niiii^- almost with t'- >i--ani/.ation of the county. It is said to 
liav(> ])een named b_ .• thur Ha]'bis(.n on account of some favorite 
relative. The'land ■ -.ufchased of the ( fovernment in 1-Sl4by 
Jacob Lemmon. pleasant situation u[>on the east fork of 

^\"hite liivei'. was doubtless a pi'ominent reason why it was se- 
h--te<l foi' a county seat. One of the earliest, if not the very first 
to engage in a mercantile ti'ade was Thomas Brooks. 'i'lie exact 



566 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

date of his coming to the place is not known, but he was there very 
early. Another was George H. Proffit who did business there early 
in the twenties. He was a man afterward well known, and a 
member of Congress. Jacob Bixler was in trade there about 
1826, and for a few years later. Others were Daniel Harris, 
Edward Patton, Dr. Porter, Gibson Brown and William Hallowell. 
The present merchants are the Rudolph Brothers, who have been 
there about twelve years and do a thriving trade. Hugh S. Wil- 
son was the first physician and remained for several years enjoy- 
ing the high opinion of all. Dr. A. B. McCrillis was located 
tjuere for a time. Dr. Hunter now attends to the sick in the com- 
munity. 



CHAPTER Tir. 

I"" 'STORY OF Education in the County, Being a Treatise on Pioneer 
AND Modern School Teachers, and Methods of Instruction 
and Correction, and giving many Dates, Names, Anecdotes and 

Statistics. 

'X^HE Dubois County schools are fully up to the average of 
t_ schools in the State generally. One of the State's prominent 
^ators has said that the schoolhouse is the unerring sign of civ- 
1^.. hion, a statement that none will have the presumption to con- 
tradict. Beginning almost with the earliest settlers, the schools 
of the county have kept ready pace with those in any other part 
of the State. Concerning the early schools, information is scanty, 
and what little there is, of such a doubtful nature as to impress 
the searcher with its traditionary make-up. The first schools 
were of the subscription kind, and the houses were of the primi- 
tive style, in accordance with the moderate means and condition 
of the patrons. The buildings were made of logs, and the furni- 
ture was correspondingly rude. They were usually built by the 
citizens gathering at the appointed place by agreement, and each 
individual donated his time to the common cause. The early 
churches were often used as schoolhouses, and neady as often 
the prer cher and teacher were one. 

The Stnte constitution of 1816 provided in a measure for th 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. o67 

maintenance of public schools. Under it all fines assessed for 
any breach of the penal laws, and money paid as an equivalent 
by persons exempt fi-om military duty, except in time of war, were 
to be applied to the support of county seminaries in the county 
wherein they were assessed. This money was held in trust by a 
seminary trustee, appointed at first by the governor of the State, 
afterward by the board of county commissioners, and later elected 
by the people at a general election. These seminaries were incor- 
porated by the State Legislature at various times, whenever the 
amount of the funds in the county would warrant it. 

If Dubois County ever had a seminary under this law, the old- 
est inhabitants now living have forgotten it, and what county records 
now exist contain no mention of it. The probabilities are that 
there was one, although if so, it was at an early date, for the 
immigration to Jasper and vicinity of Catholics yearly decreased 
the prospects for such a school at the county seat, where they 
were usually kept. 

The congressional township system originated with the act 
of Congress to enable the people of Indiana Territory to form a 
State government, approved April 19, 1816. That act provides 
that Section 16 in every township should be granted to the inhab- 
itants for the use of public schools. Dubois County contains ten 
of these sections. Soon after the organization of the State gov- 
ernment, the Legislature provided for the appointment of a super- 
intendent of these lands in each township. These officers had 
power to lease the school lands for a term of years, and the rents 
and profits were to be applied to the support of schools. The 
revised statutes of 1824 contain a law entitled an "Act to incor- 
porate congressional townships, and providing for public schools 
therein." This was the fii'st eflPective law toward establishing a 
vigorous system of public schools. It authorized the inhabitants 
of each township to elect three school trustees, who were to have 
control of the school lands and schools generally, with power to 
divide their townships into districts, and appoint sub-trustees 
therefor. These trustees also examined teachers in regard to 
their ability to teach reading, writing and arithmetic. School- 
houses were to be built by the labor of all able-bodied male per- 
sons of the age of twenty-one years or more, residing in the dis- 
trict. The penalty for failure to work was 37^ cents for each day 



568 HISTORY OF DUBOIS C(>UNTV. 

of failure. These houses were to be t'i^r|,t tVct l.itutcii Hm..).,. 
and at Imst one foot from the grouiul t<> tin' Hi>t tl^. >r. .md tin 
i-hed in a manner calculated to render Ix.tii t.'.-irhcr and sdw.lai'^ 
comfortable. 

This was the beginnini;- of tin disti-ici sdi.-o! -s^tcMi and 
many of the townships or--ani/,.d nt .mcr. j,ic;>;ii ;dur\ to tlif iii;ii-cli 
of- (Mlucation. Some, Ik.wcvci-. dcLiu-d this iiiiiM.riMni piocicdiii- 
tor many years. A t<-w wcif s.kmi in tlic ni.nk.'t wilii tlicii i;nid 
hopinof to do more illi rVivf s.i\ ire u it li tin' ca^l; llmii \vit!i tii^ 
soil. Under this l;i\v tli- .-s!;d'ii>liiiiciil Miid ..r-'ain/'dioiM^f -<-lhH'|- 
went on ])ut slowly. Tiu' ic.'oon ..!' tlii> \\a> tluit n<> scliools w.-i'- 
to be esta,b!ishcd until the wish oT tlif inlnd.d.'inf- t.. tli;i! ^-Ibvi 
was declnrcd b\ vot.'. I n ad<liti>>n to tlii> drl-d li,- -..i-o-tcs^ o:' 
the district m-1io«,1 sy^t.Mn was ivtjiid.'d bv ;i u.im oi >Mtti.-i.'iir 
fu]ids. Tlif w;il;ts of t.'achfi-s .-\i'f*'dcd but llnlr tin- «-o^t •<] 
life's necessities ;ind the tei'ni^ were seldom nioi\' th.m th..- 
months in (bir;ition. The |)ubli<' iiiom^y \\;i> n(»t •-ultieient to meet 
all demands, and t he d<>l^ leney was Mipi.lied b\ rale bilU lex n-d 
Ujioji the |inj»ii- During- these eaily \'.^:)r-< the (.iie-ti >n whether 
it is unjust to ta\ for the su|>;.oi-t of schools those havin;^- no 
ehildren. wa> oiteii dismissed and the ne-arive ailvoeated by 
many. This, hout-vec. has at ia>t bei^n det.Manined and the poiicv 
of the Stat.Mlellnitely settled in bivorof ta\in- all its mtizens foi 
the supjM.rl of eoiumon s(dioo]-;. 

hi June. |s;!t;. the Con-tv^:- of ^h.' I'nited Stairs passed a 
law distributing- .t he surplus i-e\ -line. tlnMi in the national ti'ea-- 
ury, anion-- the s.'xeral States. The State 1 .ei^i.datnre approved 
an act l''ebtaiary 7. l^;;7. b .r 1 he division ol imliana's sliai-e of 
this re\-enue amoin'; the se^■eral counties foi' tht> use of the com- 
mon schools. The share of Dubois Cmnty wa^ sometliin-- over 
ST<HM>. Th.' Legislature appointed a-ents of this fund iu-a-i 
county, whos.' duties uere to loai' it out and see that the pi-ojn'; 
security and other ie(|uisites wei-e ci'iujiiied with. This fund a i-> 
gradually increased and its interest is now one of the large item- 
of school revenue. 

In additioa to these souj'ces of revenue for si-hools of t'hr 
State there are several others. Hesidc^s the sixteenth sections, all 
saline lands throughput tlie Stat(^ were reserved foi- the same pur- 
pose. These lands «iiMlRrdered to be sohl about the year !>>•!] 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 569 

or 1832, and the proceeds were united into what has ever since 
been known as the saline fund. The bank tax fund was another 
source of considerable magnitude. But the largest of these and 
most fruitful source of revenue, the congressional township fund 
alone, perhaps excepted, is the sinking fund, originally derived 
from the State's profits in the old State banks. All of these, ex- 
cept the congressional township, have been united and are known 
as the common school fund. 

The pioneer schools deserve a passing notice. By this term 
s meant those early schools that were established and maintained 
i^ithout any aid from public funds. These schools were generally 
loud schools, which means that the pupils were not required to 
prepare their lessons quietly, but that each one had the privilege 
of repeating it in whatever tone of voice best suited him ; indeed, 
in some cases, it seemed that a premium was set upon noise and 
that he who could make the loudest noise did the best. The 
studies usually pursued in these schools were, reading, writing, 
spelling and sometimes arithmetic. The recitations were heard 
one pupil at a time, and in the general noise and confusion, read- 
ing and spelling were, no doubt, difficult to recite. Webster's 
spelling book and the New Testament were the most common 
text books. Writing was learned from copies set by the teacher, 
with a goose-quill pen. When a pupil wanted assistance on a 
difficult problem, he took it to the teacher, who looked over it 
until he found an incorrect figure which he marked, and then re- 
turned the slate to the waiting scholar without comment or ex- 
planation. One rule that survived for many years and defeated 
all attempts at classification was, that he who was first at school 
in the morning, should recite first during the day. The sessions 
were much longer than at the present, and are said by some to 
have lasted from '"sun-up to sun-down," but that seems improba- 
ble. There was no regular hour for opening school in the morn- 
ing, but when a pupil arrived, he was compelled to take his seat 
and commence the study of his lessons. There was no recess in 
those days, and no time for relaxation except at the noon "play- 
time," which was usually spent by the teacher in making oi 
mending goose-quill pens, in which art all teachers were from ne- 
cefesity skilled. 

The schools followed closely the course of the early settle- 



570 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

ments, and where we find the first settlers, there, too, we find the 
first schools. One of the earliest teachers, if not the very first, 
was Simon Morgan, a man that for the first thirty years of the 
county's existence, occupied an important place in its history. It 
is probable that an early school was taught in the McDonalds' 
neighborhood, and also one not far from the present site of Ire- 
land, before the organization of Dubois County. Upon the es- 
tablishment of the county seat at Portersville, a school was be- 
gun there by Simon Morgan, and kept in the old log court house 
that is yet standing. He was then, and for many years after, 
county recorder. When the capital of the county was changed 
to Jasper, he continued his pedagogic avocations while perform- 
ing the duties of a public officer. Here again the court house 
was used for a schoolhouse. In the vicinity of Haysville was 
an early school. The house was built a short distance east of the 
present village, about 1820, and Moses Kelso was for several 
years the principal teacher there. Others taught there, however, 
during the decade of the twenties, and the school was kept up 
several years later than that. Early in the twenties a school 
was taught in the neighborhood of Shiloh Church in Madison 
Township. A man named Sweeney was the teacher. The house 
was of the typical pioneer sort, with one log out for a window. 
The fire-place was surrounded by a dirt hearth and the chimney 
was made of sticks in the old fashioned way. Another teacher 
at that place was a man named Claussin. That house would pre- 
sent a considerable contrast beside the new school buildinir 
erected at Ireland, in 1884, at a cost of about $1,800. The town 
has a graded school with two teachers. Near Alexander Ell's, or 
Patoka, was another early school in this portion of the county. 

In Jefferson Township schools were established about 1820 
One of the most prominent of these was kept at the old Jubile* 
meeting-house on the farm then owned by John Hill. Samuel 
Howard and Thomas Hill were teachers there during the early 
part of the decade of the twenties. The patrons of this school at 
its start were the families of Cox, Hill, Gobbel, Reed, Shoemaker, 
Collins and others. 

In the neighborhood of Huntingburgh therehad been but few 
schools prior to the location of the town there. When Jacob Gei- 
ger laid out the town, he gave a lot for the benefit of the schools 
and churches, and at his own expense built a house for those pur- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 5 71 

poses. It was of hewed logs, and was built on the lot where the 
gnst m,ll now stands. The first teacher was a man named Pike. 
At the house of Jacob Blemker another school was taught by a 
Polander named Mody. Such was the beginning of t!e Hunt 
•ngburgh schools and they have prospered with the town from that 

':' h^ ■ . \t °' ""''' ''''• ""^ °^^--- -- P-ed 

S5 000 f ;, ' '""'^°"->g*''«-l« of bonds to the amount of 

$0,000 for the purpose of building a schoolhouse. They were to 

rate of 6 percent^ The school board at that time consisted of 
Henry Dufendach, E. R. Brundick and Dr. Isaac Beeler The 
hth Z T r*<'/"f '^ " -"^t^tial brick, two stories 

total of fie t°^ " ^'f' ' *''' ""''' " *^ ~"°*y- »d has a 
cwfb ^ . ^°^*^"''«°''' «'« gi™° in all the common 
school branches, and a high school course has been added The 
present board of school trustees is composed of Dr WE Mc 
Mahau, C. C. Klein and Chris Konrumpf. "'■ «• Mc 

la many portions of the county the Catholic schools haye 
almost superseded the public schools, and in almost as many places 
the public money has been spent in supporting them. This pro- 
^eding has m some instances been opposed by some of the peo- 

have bt"' '' T,""*'^ "'''''' **" '""J°"'y ^l''^' '^' Catholics 
have been successful m maintaining their posit 



The Catholic schooli 
churches. 



ion and the funds. 
s will be noticed in connection with the 



er. Id ^""7'"S *«'''^ '^°^^ the number of schoolhouses. teach- 
ers and number of pupils in attendance at the county superiuten 
dent's last yisit, in each township in the county ■ 



Townships. 



Columbia 

Harbison 

Boone 

Madison 

Bainbridge. . . 
Marion. . . 

Hall ;■;.■. 

Jefferson 

Jackson 

Patoka 

Cass 

Ferdinand 

Jasper 

Huntingburgh. 



No. of 
Houses 



No. of 
Teach'rs. 



No. of Pupils. 



Male. I Female. 



Totals. 



107 
100 
147 
122 
117 
103 
100 
165 
136 
102 
154 
151 



91 

75 

140 

131 

100 

83 

148 

150 

94 

97 

155 

169 

126 



Total 
Pupils. 



198 
175 
287 
253 
217 



315 
230 
199 



-gg^ni 1 1,733 1 1.752 13,485 



572 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

The above shows the number actually present at the time of the 
superintendent's visit. The enumeration is considerably in excess 
of this, that for Jasper being 425 and Huntingburgh 525. 

The schoolhouses of the county are generally good, but are 
only moderately supplied with the school furniture and appli- 
ances of the day. The Ireland school is one of the best town- 
ship graded schools in the county. Miss Dora Hojje is the prin- 
cipal and Mrs M. L. McSwane is assistant. The Celestine 
school has been graded for about ten years. The house is a frame, 
valued at about $600. Henry Schnell and John Kenney are the 
teachers. Since the incorporation of Birdseye, the school there 
is improving. The house is a frame, and preparations are being 
made for a better one ; two teachers are required. The Schnell- 
ville school is also graded, and is presided over by two of the 
Catholic Sisters. The frame building is valued at about $700. 
On a par with this is the St. Anthony school, the two teachers of 
which are Sisters. Holland has a good two-story frame school- 
house, costing $1,800 in 1879. The school is graded and has^ 
W. H. Clark for its principal teacher. For the past six years the 
school at St. Henry has been graded, and two of the Sisters are 
now teaching it. It is a frame building. Perhaps the most 
prosperous school in the county is the one at Ferdinand. It is 
entirely under the control of the Catholics, and is conducted in an 
energetic and useful manner. The teachers are four, three of 
whom arefemal.es. 

In February, 1872, the school trustees of the town of Jasper 
made application to the town board for the building of a new 
schoolhouse. The trustees were then R. M. Welman, S. Kuebler 
and J. W. Bretz. In March following the contract was offered to 
the lowest bidder, but the lowest bid being $6,600 the board 
thought that too high and the contract was not let. A few days 
later, March 27, E. A. Hochgesang was given the contract for the 
masonry for $2,725, and the balance of the building to John Ber- 
ger for $3,135, making a total contract price of $5,858. This was 
considered a good bargain for the town, and Joseph Egg was ap- 
pointed to superintend the work on behalf of the board. The 
building was completed and first occupied by the school on the 
27th of January, 1873. Bazil L. Greene was then the teacher in 
charge, and his successors have been : James H, Keenan, A. M. 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 573^ 

Sweeney, George C Cooper, John Daniel, F. L. Mulkey, J. H. 
Logan and the present one, F. S. Morgenthaler. Soon after the 
completion of the new building a difficulty arose in the town, con- 
cerning the conduct of the schools. This grew largely out of the 
fact that the Catholics were in the majority and insisted that the 
schools should conform to their methods. In fact, this question 
has never been entirely settled, and at the present time consider- 
able agitation is going on in regard to it. From 1843 to the adop- 
tion of the new constitution, John McCausland had sMved in the 
capacity of school examiner. In 1853, after the adoption of the new 
constitution. Rev. Joseph Kundeck, A. J. Strain and Geore^e W 
Fallon were appointed county school examiners, and continued to 
act as ^^uch until 1857, when S. J. Cramer took the place of Fal- 
lon, tlie others still continuing. In 1858 they were A. J. Strain, 
Stephen Jerger and S. J. Cramer; 1859, A. J. Strain, William 
Hays and Ji^i B. Beckwerment; 1861, William Hays, J. B, 
Beckwerment and Mr, Holthouse. These last were appointed 
early in 1861, but the law was soon after changed and only one 
examiner was required for the county. To this place Rev. A. J. 
Strain was appointed, and he continued to serve as such until 1873. 
when the office was abolished and that of county superintendent 
established ill its stead. Ernst R. Brundick was the first to be 
appointed to that office, and he was succeeded in 1879 by George 
C. Cooper. In 1881 the present incumbent, A. M. Sweeney, wa.' 
chosen to officiate. 



CHAPTER YIII. 

Religious History of the County, Comprising Sketches of the 
Earliest Societies, and of the Pioneer Modes of Worship, 
AND Giving an Account of the Organization of Later Classes, 
the Construction of Buildings, the Names of Members and 
Ministers, and the Present Condition of the Churches. 

FOR several years prior to the admission of Indiana into the 
Union, some devout and Christian families moved from Ken- 
tucky and other portions of the South, and settled in this locality. 
The forests were then almost unbroken, and the people were in 
small and detached settlements. The privileges of religious meet- 



/)74 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

iiigs were rarely enjoyed. A few would write back to their 
former homes and earnestly solicit some one to come and preach 
to them. But that was a matter more easy to ask than to per- 
form. The distance and hardships were great, but the preachers 
at last came. 

Among the first denominations to appear upon this frontier 
was the Cumberland Presbyterian. As early as the year 1818, 
perhaps before then, meetings were held in the county by this 
denomination of Christians. They had been holding meetings in 
several of the adjoining counties before then, but it is certain 
that they began to hold religious services in Dubois County in 
1818. The first was probably at Shiloh, or what was more com- 
monly known aS Alexander's Camping Ground, in what is now 
Madison Township. It is quite likely that the second organized 
church in the State, of this denomination, was here at Shiloh. 
Among the men who were foremost in this portion, of the State 
at that time, as Cumberland Presbyterians, were AVilliam Harris, 
Alexander Chapman, John and William Barnett, Finis Ewing, 
Dr. James Johnson. John M. Berry, Aaron Shelby. David Lowry, 
Henry Delany, Hiram A. Hunter, William Lynn, Thomas Porter, 
William C.-Long, and Alexander Downey. Of these the first six 
seldom came except at the camp-meetings, but the others came 
more frequently. It is said that the first circuit preacher was 
Rev. David Lowry, and he preached in Vanderburgh, Gibson, 
Pike, Dubois, Daviess and Knox Counties. After him came 
Messrs. Hunter, Downey and Lynn, in the order named. Under 
them the circuit was. considerably enlarged, and embraced Terre 
Haute. The men who " rode the circuit," or visited the country 
only occasionally, were constant and untiring in their labors. 
They preached almost daily, and in the absence of church houses 
the services were usually held at the residence of some good man 
in the neighborhood. Thus a private house would come to be 
recognized as the preaching place of the community. Among 
the leaders in the church during its pioneer days, in Dubois 
County, may be mentioned Ashbury Alexander, Avho was an elder 
in the Shiloh organization, and one of the best then, and for 
many years after, in the State. James Ritchey, Sr., was an elder 
in the same congregation, formerly a preacher in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church; Joseph I. Kelso and John Niblack were also 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 



577 i 



elders. The last was father of Hon. William E. Niblack, of the 
State Supreme Court, and a liberal supporter of the church. 

The Presbytery for Indiana was organized at Portersville, in 
Dubois County, Tuesday, April 18, 1826. There were present 
nearly all the prominent men of the church in the State. The 
fourth meeting of the Presbytery was held at Shiloh Church, Oc- 
tober 2, 1827. In 1833 the Presbytery did away with itineracy, 
and each church was requested to make a selection of a man that 
it would support as minister. For Shiloh and Union Churches, in 
Dubois County, Eev. James Ritchey was chosen. A few years 
later Shiloh Church had for its pastor Rev. H. A. Hunter. He 
was afterward pastor at Portersville, and there conducted a school 
for some time. 

Soon after the location of the county seat at Jasper, the Cumber- 
land Presbyterians organized a church there. The first church 
was of logs, but it was replaced by a frame after a few years. The 
latter stood for many years and was used by all denominations. 
The most prominent minister of the Protestant faith that has ever 
been located in Dubois County was perhaps the Rev A. J. Strain. 
He was at Jasper for nearly a third of a century and during all 
that time was one of the leaders in every public and patriotic 
enterprise woi-thy of support. More than any other man he was 
instrumental in putting the schools of the county in good 
order. 

The Methodists were not far behind other denominations in 
the early days, and the Baptists were also in the van-guard of 
pioneer religions. At the present day Protestantism is confined 
mostly to the northwestern part of the county. In the neighlitor- 
hood of Ireland the prevailing denominations are the Cumberland 
Presbyterians and the Methodists, Of the latter. Bethel Church, 
in the northwestern part of Madison Township, is one of the lead- 
ing. The house was built about the year 1870 at a cost of 
$1,200. Another at Ireland was built about two years before that 
and is a good frame building. The Presbyterians are now building 
a fine church edifice at that town. 

The following sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
among the Germans of Dubois County, was contributed by Rev. 
J. Bookstahler, of Huntingburgh. In 1885, Dr. William Nast 
was sent out as the first German missionary to preach among 



578 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

the Germans at Cincinnati, Ohio. In October, 1843, the German 
missionaries made their first appearance in Dubois County. 
They were the Eevs. Henry Koneke and Conrad Muth, who came 
from Evansville, and traveled over the whole southwestern part 
of the State. They were first admitted to the house of H. H. 
Vennemann, four miles southwest of Huntingburgh. About the 
same time, they began preaching at the Pike County line, in the 
house of Herman W. Katterjohn. In 1844, Eev. H. Koneke 
was assisted by Rev. E. Peters. In 1845, H. W. Katterjohn 
united with the church, and was soon followed by his sons Will- 
iam and Adolph. They were the first members of the present 
Zoars Church at the Pike County line. From the fall of 1845, 
to 1846, this charge was supplied by the Eev. M. Mulfinger and 
John Hoppen, from 1846 to 1847, by G. M. Busch; from 1847 to 
1848, by Father Heller. At that time this cHarge was inde- 
pendent of the Evansville charge, and embraced the following 
appointments: Boonville, Huntingburgh, with Central and Zoars 
Churches, Bretz settlement, Haysville, Jasper, Troy and Eome. 
From 1848 to 1849, Eevs. Frederick Heller and C. F. Heidmeyei 
were on this charge, and from 1849 to 1850, Christian Wytten- 
bach and Charles Derking. About this time the Zoars' Church 
was built of hewed logs, by Adolph Katterjohn, for the sum 
of $27.50, and his father donated two acres of land. The 
members assisted in the building of the house. In 1862, 
a beautiful camp ground was laid out, and several board 
tents erected. "In 1871, the society built a brick church 
40x60 feet, about 100 yards from the old building. Be- 
fore the new church was completed, the old one and the camp 
dwellings were destroyed by fire. It was supposed to be the 
work of an incendiary. During the years 1850 and 1851, there 
was a little frame church built at Huntingburgh, 22x30 feet. 
The members then were Adolph Katterhenry and wife, Adam 
Arensman and wife, William Lukemeyer, now a local preacher 
at Louisville, E. J. Blemker and wife, Jacob and Eudolph 
Blemker and John Brandenstein and wife. In the fall of 1851, the 
Huntingburgh charge was separated from Boonville, and put in 
charge of Eev. John H. Lukemeyer. 

In 1860, the members in the vicinity of H. H. Vennemans 
united in buildinof a neat brick church 30x40 feet. This was un- 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 579 

der the administration of Rev. John Ficker, and the first members 
were H. H. Feldwisch, H. H. Vennemanns and wife, William 
Kuck, Henry Schroer, and others. The Huntingburgh society 
built in 1864, a good substantial brick church 38x58 feet. At 
Holland, the Central Church built a frame house, but it was de- 
stroyed in a storm in the fall of 1883. The members at once be- 
o-an the erection of a second one which was completed at a cost 
of about $2,000. These three churches now constitute the whole 
of German Methodism in Dubois County, and they have an ag- 
gregate property valued at about $10,000. The membership now 
is composed of 100 families, or 330 persons. The leading official 
members at Huntingburgh are John Brandenstein, Sr., Henry 
Schroer, H. H. Iglemann, Adolph Katterhenry, E. J. Blemker, 
Henry Winkenhoefer, Daniel Rutepohler and Christopher Ress- 
ner. At Holland: F. Rothert, F. Steinkamp, William Rothert, 
John Rothert, A. J. Launners, E. Werremeyer, John Vennemann 
and H. W. Henimer. At Zoars: Henry Henimer, H. H. Hilde- 
brand, W. H. Stork, H. Deerhake, H. Christopher and Louis 
Tellejohn. At each place there is a flourishing Sunday-school, 
and the sessions are held the year around. The membership 
consists of sixty-five officers and 270 scholars. 

. Catholic Churches of Dubois County. — The history of the Ro- 
man Catholic churches of the county has been largely compiled 
from the "History of the Diocese of Vincennes." In the year 
1834 only two or three Catholics were found at Jasper, but sev- 
eral Catholic families settled here soon after. Rev. Maurice de 
St. Palais, located at St. Mary's, Daviess County, visited the 
small congregation for the first time. A small log house answered 
for a church and it stood in the western part of the town not far from 
Patoka River. Father de St. Palais commended the young con- 
gregation to the special care of the bishop, who gave it its first 
resident pastor in the person of the Rev. Joseph Kundeck. He 
was born in Johannich, Croatia, on the 24th day of August, 1810. 
He finished his studies in Agram, was ordained, and was made 
assistant priest of the place. In the spring of 1837 he immigrated 
to Indiana, and in the following year was installed at Jasper. 
The congregation then numbered fifteen families. During 1840 
and 1841 he built a large brick church with hardly any money, 
but by donations of labor and material. During the Easter sea- 



580 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

sons, Father Kundeck extended his labors to Madison and into 
Illinois. He also visited regularly the congregations of Ferdi- 
nand, Troy, Celestine, Fulda and McLaughlin in Warrick County. 
In 1843, to restore his health, Father Kundeck took a trip to 
New Orleans, and in that city built the first German Cath- 
olic Church. Returning in 1844, he built the stone church at 
Ferdinand with the money brought from New Orleans. The 
jame year he introduced the Sisters of Providence at Jasper, and 
later built the court house at a cost of $0,000. In the autumn of 
1851 Father Kundeck went to France, and about the same time 
was appointed Vicar-General. During his trip to Europe he vis- 
ited Einsiedeln, the great Benedictine abbey, and did all in his 
power to induce the abbot to send a colony of the Benedictines 
to the diocese of Vincennes. He returned to Jasper in 1853 and 
labored most zealously until 1857. After nine months of intense 
suffering he died on the 4th of December, 1857. Father Kun- 
deck was a most remarkable man, and his labors seem almost su- 
perhuman. His memory in Jasper and the surrounding country 
will remain forever in benediction. St. Joseph is the patron 
saint of the church in Jasper, and the following Benedictine 
Fathers have succeeded Father Kundeck: Eev. P. Bede O'Con- 
nor from January 23, 1858, to November 20, 1860; Rev. P. Ulrich 
Christian, November 20, 1860, to February 22, 1865 ; Rev. P. 
Wolfgang Schlumpf, from February 22, 1865, to July 25 same 
year; Rev. P. Fidelis Maute, from July 25, 1865, to the present 
time. The congregation now numbers 3,000 souls and has 470 
children at school. Father Maute commenced the building of a 
hew church, for which the corner-stone was laid by Bishop de St. 
Palais September 14, 1871. The church is of stone, 194 feet long, 
84 feet wide and 90 feet high. It was built slowly, and only as 
the means were supplied, without incurring debt. The church 
is a magnificent and solid structure that will stand as a monument 
long after the death of the builder, when other churches of a later 
date will have disappeared. Four Sisters of Providence and two 
laymen are employed in the schools, which have been organized 
ever since 1840. 

Rev. P. Bede O'Connor said mass at Huntingburgh for the 
first time October 20, 1859. In August, 1860, the corner- 
stone of the new church was laid by Rev. P. Isidor Hobi. The 



HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 581 

Church of Visitation of the B. V. M. was visited by the pastor of 
Ferdinand in 1865 and 1866, and also from 1873 to 1876. In 
1868 it was attended from Jasper twice each month, and after 
that year to 1873, from St. Meinrad. In 1869 the triduan was 
preached by Fathers Matthias and Rainer of Tautopolis, IlL 
Under the present pastor this church is growing rapidly, a large 
and beautiful church is being erected of brick, and the congrega- 
tion is increasing. The church is to cost several thousand dollars. 
The Congregation at Ferdinand was founded by the Rev. Jo- 
seph Kundeck, the rector of the Roman Catholic congregation of 
Jasper. The first divine service was held by the same priest on 
the 22d of April, 1840, eleven families then forming the congre- 
gation. A small log church was built, but being too small, in 
the following year, 1841, another log church was erected, which 
was used for divine service. The corner-stone of the new stone 
church was laid by the Rev. Father Kundeck, May 30, 1847. 
The building was completed in the following year. During the 
years 1839-53 Ferdinand was attended by secular priests, Father 
Kundeck himself and his assistant priests residing at Ferdinand, 
viz.: Rev. Charles Opperman, Rev. Meinkraann, Rev. F. T- 
Fischer, Rev. W. Doyle, Rev. Toh. Contin, Rev. Peters and Rev. 
H. Stapf. In 1853 the congregation of Ferdinand was entrusted 
to the care of the Fathers of the order of H. Benedict Rev. P. 
Ulrich Christen, Rev. P. Isidor Hobi, Rev. P. Wolfgang 
Schlumpf and Rev. P. Chrysostome Foffa, all m embers of the said 
order, have been rectors of the congregation. Since 1871 the 
present pastor, the Rev. P. Eberhard Stadler, O. S. B., has the 
care of the spiritual wants of the Catholic people of Ferdinand, 
assisted by different fathers of the Benedictine abbey, at St 
Meinrad, Spencer Co., Ind. 

Rev. P. Eberhard Stadler was born February 1, 1830, at 
Welfensberg, Switzerland; educated in the college connected with 
the famous abbey of Maria Einsiedeln in Switzerland; he was 
ordained priest in 1857, and came to this country in December, 
1869. His first mission was St. Anthony's, Dubois County, 
from September, 1870 to October, 1871. In 1871 he took charge 
of Ferdinand. 

During the administration of Rev. Foffa the church was 
enlarged, and the tower was added; the bells have been procured 
at different times. Rev. Christen erected the parsonage. 



582 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

During the administration of Kev. Eberliard, St. Mary's 
Chapel, on the Mount of Calvary, was built and blessed in 1877. 
The cemetery was decorated by the same reverend pastor, with a 
very beautiful cross made by Mr. Zuckriegel,at Eockport, Spencer 
County, from native sandstone, in 1880. Since tlien the debts of 
the church have been paid. 

Rev. Eberhard is, at the same time, chaplain of the convent 
of the Benedictine Sisters at Ferdinand. This community was 
founded in 1867, during the rectorship of Rev. P. Chr. Foifa, and 
the first brick-stone building was completed in 1870. But the 
continuous increase of the community being very great, it became 
necessary in 1884 to undertake the erection of new buildings 
near St. Mary's Chapel. The corner-stone of the new convent 
chapel was laid on the 30th of May, 1885, by Rt.-Rev. Bishop 
Chatard, of Vincennes. At present the community numbers 
fifty-six sisters. The sisters direct the schools in different places 
in Spencer and Dubois Counties, and in 188G will establish an 
academy for young ladies connected with the convent. 

The congregation of Ferdinand numbers about 350 families, 
with 1,600 members. The youth are educated in several schools, 
partly conducted by the sisters of the convent. The principal of 
the boys' school in the town of Ferdinand, Mr. T. B. Midler, is 
director of the choir at the church of Ferdinand. 

The church of Ferdinand is a substantial stone building, with 
a sanctuary and four chapels, two of which are occupied by altars, 
the remaining two by confessionals. The principal ornaments of 
the church are the altar paintings from the hand of the celebrated 
artist of Switzerland, M. P. Deschwanden, on the high altar. The 
church is well furnished with all the sacred vestments and vessels 
necessary for the Catholic culse. The church was solemnly dedi- 
cated on the 19th of June, 1870, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, of 
Fort Wayne. 

The Benedictine Sisters. — The foundation of the Convent of 
the Immaculate Conception, at Ferdinand, dates back to the year 
1867, and like aU other convents of the Benedictine Order in the 
United States, it owes ite existence . to the first colony of Bene- 
dictine Sisters established by Rt. Rev. Boniface Wimmer at St. 
Mary's, Elk County, Penn. At the request of the Benedictine 
Fathers, four sisters were sent from St. Walburg's Convent at 
Covingtpn, Ky.,to found a convent at Ferdinand and take charge 



HISTORY OF DUP.OIS CO UNIV. 588 

of the schools. They arnveJ Aii,o-ust 20, ISI'.T. Sister Bene- 
(licta was ni)|)oi]ited first su|)erior until the connnunity should l)e 
sufficiently numerous to hold an election. The other sisters 
who formed this community were Sist(n-s M. Xavier. M. Kose 
and M. Clara. The little tlwellino- of the sisters consisted of but 
three I'ooms. but in the fall an addition of two rooms and a chapel 
was made, in which holv mass was said for the first time Decem- 
ber S. The community at first endui'cd many privations and 
liardships. Scveial postidaiits soon petitioned for admittance. 
The constitution for the n-ovei'iiment of the c(mimunity Avas (h-awn 
l>v liev. Mai'tin Marty and an order of the day was written out. 
At the first eh>ction held June I. l^72. according- to the new con- 
-titution. ^'en. Sister Benedicta was chosen prioress. She was 
re-elected July 7, iSTo. In ISTS Mother Agatha was chosen to 
conduct the affairs of the ccmimunity which she has done with 
success and ability. In the course of three years the brick con- 
\ent was completed. By 1872 this was })aid for, and sixty-four 
acres of land were bought adjoining the conyent grounds. A neat 
frame house was erected and placed under the charge of two sis- 
ters. Orphans, and the aged and infirm are admitted, and receive 
every attention which Christian charity can bestow. The com- 
munity has prospered, and now has eight branches in Indiana, 
Aikansas and Dakota. During its first sixteen years, (U) were 
received into the convent, of these o had died, 22 were out on 
missions, and the remaining 88 were employed at liome. A new 
convent is being erected that will be one of the hirgest in the 
State. A school for young hxdies is to be ke}>t, that will give 
iiistructicm in all the higher branches. 

The congregation at Celestine was organized in 1842 and the 
patron saint is St. Celestine. From 1844 to 1858, it Avas at- 
tended by the pastor residing at Jasi)er. Key. Joseph Neuberj 
1S.j4; Eev. Joseph Wurtz, 1855 and 185(5. For three years it 
Avas again A'isited from Jasper. EeA'. Joseph Meister, 18()0 to 
1S()4; in 18(55 attended from St. Anthony: Rev. B. Bruning from 
lst5(5 to 1877; vacant in 1878 and 187'.); EeA'. Alexander Koesters 
since 1880. The congregation Avorshiped in a log church until 
ls()4. In that year the present brick church was erected. At 
the laying of the corner-stone Rev. P. Fidelis Maute preached the 
sermon. The membership here is large and consists of about 



584 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

1,800 souls. The school has 320 children taught by Ursuline 
Sistei's and a lay teacher. 

The Catholic congregation at St. Anthony was formed from 
members who formerly belonged to Ferdinand, Jasper and Celes- 
tiue. It was organized in 18()-i by Rev. Joseph Meister. A log 
church and parsonage were erected and continued in use for 
twenty years. A new stone church 50x106 feet has recently been 
finished. Father Meister was killed in 1868 by a falling tree. 
Rev. Joseph Kaufmann was pastor from July, 1868 to December, 
1869. Since that the Benedictine Fathers have been in charge 
with the following pastors: Eberhardt Stradler from Septeml)er, 
1870 to October, 1871; Placidus Zaon to January, 1875; Con- 
rad Ackermannto July,1875; Mauvus Helferich to August, 1875; 
Henry Hug to September, 1877 ; Benedict Brunet to March, 1879 ; 
and Father Alphonse Leute. The congregation at present num 
bers about seventy -five families and the schools are in charge of 
the Benedictine Sisters. 

At Henryville the congregation was organized in 18(52 by Rev. 
Chrysostome Foffa. The church is located midway between Fer- 
dinand and Maria Hill, at the time of its organization it consisted 
of twenty-five families who built a stone church. From 1863 to 
1871, Rev. Benedict Brunet visited the mission from St. Meinrad. 
From 1871 to 1878 the Benedictine Fathers regularly visited 
Henryville either from St. Meinrad or Maria Hill. From No- 
vember, 1878 to August, 1879, Rev. B. H. Kintru23 at Hunting- 
burgh, had charge. Rev. Pius Bohm then attended until January, 
1880, when he was appointed the first resident pastor of St. 
Henry's Church. He improved the cemetery and furnished the 
church with sets of vestments, a new pulpit, railing and organ. 
The membership now numbers about seventy families. In the fall 
of 1881, the Benedictine Sisters were introduced, and the school 
they have conducted has flourished from the beginning. 

Until 1875 Schnellville formed a part of St. Anthony's congre- 
gation. Visitiiig m place November 10, 1873, Bishop de St. 
Palais permitted til|l» litfietioii of a small church under the direc- 
tion of Rev, Placi(^nl IPM^ Services were held for the first 
time May 14, 187^' Jl^Wi* faithfully attended from St. Mein- 
rad until December, 1BS2^ .when Rev. Joseph Villinger became 
the first resident pastor. IFhe congregation numbers about fifty 
families. A lay teacher has eighty children in charge. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 



BAINBEIDGE TOWNSHIP. 

JAMES M. BARTON, cashier of the Dubois County Bank, 
at Jasper, Ind., was born in Madison County, Ind., October 21^, 
1859, being one of a family of eightchildren born to William Bar- 
ton and Sinai Harmon, who were natives of Virginia and Indiana. 
Our subject was raised in his native county, and received a very 
good education. He learned the banking business in his father's 
bank at EUwood, and held the position of teller and book-keeper 
there until his father's death in 1876. He was then book-keeper 
in Fremont, Ohio, for about eighteen months, when he returned 
to his native county and completed his schooling, and in 1882, 
engaged in the grain business in Anderson, Ind., until 1883, when 
he came to Jasper, and accepted his present position in the bank- 
ing house of that place, which position he fills admirably. He is 
an enterprising business man, and is sure to succeed. 

JOHN BETZ, proprietor of the Union Hotel, in Jasper, Ind., 
was born in Kentucky, August 26, 1846. His parents were John 
and Elizabeth (Mehringer) Betz, who were natives of Prussia, 
Germany, and came to this State and county at a very early date. 
They moved to Kentucky, and remained there about twelve years. 
Our immediate subject was raised principally in this county, on a 
farm, where he remained until eighteen years old. In February, 
1865, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-third 
Indiana Volunteers, but was not called into active service owing 
to the close of the war. He afterward worked in a brewery, and 
April 27, 1869, he married Mary Schiffhauer, They became the 
parents of eight children, five of whom are living: Frank, Charles 
J., Mary E., Pretonilla F. and one unnamed. The year fol- 
lowing his marriage, he embarked in his present business, at 
which he has since continued, with the exception of about six 
months. He is a Democrat, and he and his family are members 
of the Catholic Church. Mr. Betz is a live business man, and 
takes an active interest in political afPairs. 



580 rilSTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

FELIX BIliIv. (.ii(> oF the l)eiii()cr;itic pioneer citiz.Mis of 
Dulxiis ( nunty. Iiid.. wj.s horn in Baden, (iernniny. Au*,aist lo. 
1^1. ~), and wlien six veai's old. renioNcd witii his j)ar(Mits. 
Josepli and Eve ( Foot ) Jiii-k. to tiiis i-ountiy and State. Onooni- 
in<i; to this coimti'}'. they lirst r(\si(hnl in Pennsylvania, and then 
moved to Ohio, wiiere tliey remained until lS;5T. and then came 
to this State, when it was a wild unsettled countrv. By honorable 
conduct, and many kind, nei<,dd)()rly Avays. they have acquired 
warm and steadfast friends. Joseph and three other men pur- 
chased their farms in IS-M, an<l wtne tlu^ first German land own- 
ers in the county. Until his marriage with Emily Eckert, Janu- 
ary 2U, 1841), Felix, our subject, made his h.ome with his parents, 
but after that time, worked for himself. Althouiijh he be<;an 
life a poor boy, by industry, economy and the aid of a good 
and loyal wife, he has accumulated Kit) acres of excellent land. 
They are the parents of seven living cliiklren: Andrew, Joseph, 
John, Mary, Elizabeth, Rosa and Felix, and are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

FREDERICK B(3CKELMAN. farmer, was born in this county, 
November 18, l8ls, and is the eldest of four children born to Fred- 
erick and Mary Ann ( Rumphurst ) Bockelman. who were natives 
of Germany. The father married and came tt) the Ihiited States 
about 1847 and located in Dubois (\)unt}'. Ind. Our subject 
was raised on his father's farm and received the education of 
the average boy of his time. At the age of twenty-one he mar- 
ried Julia Meyer, wdio died in ISSo. having ]>orne liim six chil- 
dren, four noAv living: Mary. William. Henry and Laura. In 
1883 he married Barbara Hal)ig and they are the pai-ents of one 
child, Lorenz. After marriage, Mr. Bockelman assumed man- 
agement of his father's farm and moved to his present residence 
where he has since resided. In 1877 or 1878 he bought the place, 
and now owns 224 acres of good farming land, furnished with a 
good brick residence. He and family are Catholics and are 
highly esteemed as neighbors and friends. 

WILLIAM H. BRETZ, treasurer of Dubois County, Ind., 
and native of the county, was born May (>, 1843, being one of six 
children born to Jacob and Eliza Jane (Shively) Bretz, natives 
resjjectively of Prussia and Kentucky. The father, who Avas 
born in 1817, came to the United States in 1831, a poor boy with 
only 50 cents in his pocket. He worked at manual labor two 
years, making his way westward. In 1833 he came to Dubois 
County and bought a farm of eighty acres near Huntingburgh, 
living there about two years ; he then bought a farm southwest of 
the above place, where he lived until his death, March 21, 1859. 
The mother still resides with our subject. William passed his 
boyhood days on the farm, receivijig a fair education in the com- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 587 

mon schools. At the age of twenty-four he began working for 
himself, and four years later engaged in buying and selling stock, 
in connection with farming his 320 acres of land. He is a 
Democrat in politics and was assessor of Patoka Township two 
years. In 1882 he was elected treasurer of the county, and was 
re-elected in 1884 without opposition. In 18G() he married 
Phoebe A. Lemond, by Avhom he is the father of eight children: 
John M., Leonard, Camden, William C, Appelonia, Frank 
(deceased), Bessie B. and Edward E. Mr. Bretz's wife and 
family are members of the Christian Church, and he is recog- 
nized throughout the county as an upright official and citizen. 

JOHN L. BEETZ, prosecuting attorney for the Eleventh Judi- 
cial Circuit Court, is a native of Dubois County, Ind., and was 
born September 21, 1852, a son of Jacob and Eliza J. (Shively) 
Bretz, who were born in Germany and Kentucky, respectively, 
and came to this State at a very early day. John L. assisted his 
parents on the farm until twenty-two years old, and then began 
working for himself. In 1878 he commenced reading law with 
William A. Traylor, and the following winter and spring took a 
course of lectures in the Cincinnati Law College. In 1880 he 
took another course and graduated from the above named institu- 
tion in June 1880. The same month he established his office in 
Jasper. He has attained a lucrative practice and is quite suc- 
cessful in his profession. In July, 1881, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Daniel, by whom he is the father of two chil- 
dren: Waverly and Boss. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity; 
he is a Democrat and is at present holding the office of prose- 
cuting attorney. 

JOSEPH BUCHART, merchant, of Jasper, Ind., was born 
June 20, 1841, being the sixth in a family of eight children born 
to Charles and Agnes Buchart, who were born in Germany and 
came here when the country was almost an entire wilderness. 
Joseph's education is limited, owing to the undeveloped school 
systems of his day. He was raised on a farm, and on attaining 
his majority he purchased a farm and launched out in life as a 
farmer. About 1863 he married Barbara Hope, but their union 
was of short duration. Her death occurred about a year later. 
Three months after this he led to Hymen's altar Catherine 
Marks, and to them were born the following chikb-en: Frank, 
Henry, Michael, Julia, Mary, Conrad, Felix, W^illiam and Eliz- 
abeth. In 1872 he established himself in the retail liquor busi- 
ness, and continued that until 187(), when he disposed of his 
goods and started a general merchandise store ; he is a successful 
business man and an influential citizen; in politics a Democrat, 
and he and family are members of the Catholic Church. 



588 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

JACOB BURGEE, Jb., trustee of Bainbridge Township, 
Dubois Co., Ind., was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, 
April 3, 1853, son of George and Agatha Burger, who came 
from Germany to this country about 1859. Our subject's moth- 
er died in Ohio, when he was about two years old, and he 
remained with his father until he was over twenty years old. 
September 23, 1873, he married Caroline Kegel, by whom he is 
the father of these six children: Edward C. J., Helen A., Matil- 
da, Clara, Minnie and Agatha. March 3, 1883, Mr. Burger's 
wife was called to her long home, and April 21, 1885, his mar- 
riage with Barbara Kegel was solemnized. Mr. Burger has a 
good, thorough education in the common branches, and in business 
affairs he has been very successful ; he has been a farmer all his 
life, and owns 160 acres of well-improved land; he and family 
are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a 
Democrat and is filling his present office very satisfactorily. 

HENRY CA88IDY, proprietor of the Daniels House at 
Jasper, Ind., took charge of that hotel in April, 1885, coming 
from Otwell, Pike Co., Ind., where he had been engaged in the 
same business. He was born in Perry County, Ind., March 11, 
1848, and is a son of Thomas and Easter (Jackson) Cassidy, who 
were born in Kentucky, and Perry County, Ind., respectively. 
Henry obtained a good, common school education, and at the age 
of twenty years moved to Pike County, where he lived until 1884, 
with the exception of one year spent in Kansas. For eight years 
after moving to Pike County he taught school, and in the inter- 
vals between terms farmed. In 1882 he began selling agricul- 
tural implements, at which he has since continued; he has a good 
trade and is doing well. In September, 1870, he married Eliz- 
abeth F. Brown, by whom he is the father of these children: 
Robert P., Victor V. and Emma. Mr. Cassidy has the only 
American hotel in Jasper, and controls the patronage of almost 
the entire traveling public. He and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is in sympathy 
with the Greenback party. 

JOHN T. CORN, a prominent citizen and native of the 
county, was born February 18, 1849, and is the sixth in a 
family of nine children born to Jesse and Margery (Harris) 
Corn, natives of Crab Orchard, Ky., and Dubois County, Ind., 
respectively. The former came to this county with his parents 
in 1819, and here he afterward lived and made his home. John 
T. remained at home and atmist^td his parents on the farm until 
he attained his majority whrai he married Margery Ellen Wine- 
inger and to their union four onildren have been born: Maggie 
E., born October 11, 1871; Laura Belle, December 41, 1874; 
Oliver Edmund Porter, August 12, 1880, and Effie, December 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 589 

14, 1882. Our subject has always been a farmer and now owns 
300 acres of fertile land. The family are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a stanch Re- 
publican and has held the offices of constable and justice of the 
peace in Boone Township, 

GEORGE COX, sheriff of Dubois County, Ind., was born 
August 28, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Maxedon) 
Cox. (See sketch of Robert Cox of Jackson Township.) George 
was raised on the farm and received a fair education in the com- 
mon branches. When he had attained his majority he began 
farming for himself in Jackson Township, where he remained 
about ten years and then engaged in the manufacture of shingles 
until 1876, when he was elected sheriff of Dubois County, and 
served until 1880. He next worked at the flour milling business 
in Portersville until the mill caught fire and was consumed in 
1885. In 1884, he was elected the third time to the sheriff's office 
and is now acting in that capacity and giving excellent satisfaction. 
In 1861, he married Martha Main, who has borne him three 
children: Cyrenus W., Robert V. and Mary Jane. Mr. Cox is a 
warm Democrat, a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F. and in all 
respects a good and useful citizen. 

JOHN DICK, a native of Bainbridge Township, Dubois 
Co., Ind., was born February 22, 1845, and is the next eldest in 
a family of six children born to Peter and Elizabeth (Linden- 
berger) Dick, natives of Germany. The father first came to this 
State in 1834 and traveled through Illinois, Missouri and Kansas 
to Arkansas. He was one of the party who surveyed the Wabash 
& Erie Canal. He located permanently in Indiana about 1849. 
Our subject remained at home and assisted his parents on the 
farm until he was twenty-two years old. He received a good 
education and in 1866-67 he made a trip through the Western 
States and for three winters flat-boated on the Patoka, Wabash, 
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and during the summer time raised 
crops on his father's farm. February 8, 1871, he married 
Anstasea Burger, by whom he is the father of seven children: 
Caroline, Lizzie, Minnie, Mary, Jacob, Theresa and Peter. He 
has been a farmer since his marriage, and has succeeded so well 
that he now owns 240 acres of improved land. He and family 
are members of the Catholic Church and he is a Democrat. 

THOMAS H. DILLON, attorney at law of Jasper, Ind., was 
born in Pike County, Ind., June 22, 1857, and is one of six chil- 
dren born to James and Catharine (Haynes) Dillon, natives of 
Nova Scotia and Posey County, Ind., respectively. The subject of 
our sketch was reared with his parents in Pike County and was a 
farmer and miller by occupation. He received a fair education. 



590 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

principally by his own efforts. He prepared himself for teaching 
and followed that occupation four years in Pike County, meeting 
with good success. In 1883 he began the study of law, Avith a 
view to making it a profession. He studied for some time in 
Petersburg, Ind., under Posey & Wilson, and in March, 1885, he 
was admitted to practice in Pike County. In June of the same 
year he came to Jasper, where he has since lived and practiced 
his profession. September 5, 1877, he took for his life com- 
panion Mary Green, a native of Dubois County, Ind. They be- 
came the parents of three children: Daisy M., Bessie E. and 
Mabel E. (deceased). His political views are independent, and 
he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dil- 
lon has been fairly successful in business affairs from a financial 
standpoint, and is recognized in the community as one of the en- 
terprising, successful young members of the legal profession, and 
an upright moral citizen. 

CLEMENT DOANE, editor and proprietor of the Jasper 
Courier, was born in Circle ville, Ohio, November 11, 1832, and 
is one of a large family of children born to Guy W. and Charlotte 
(Thrall) Doane, natives of Connecticut and Vermont, respect- 
ively. The father was born August 7, 1788 and was an attorney 
at law. He came to Circleville, where he married and practiced 
his profession. Clement was raised in his native town, getting a 
fair English education and learned the printer's trade. "When 
eighteen years old he left home and began working at his trade 
in Portsmouth, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., until 
1858, when he came to Jasper and started the Courier in com- 
pany with John Mehringer and Rudolphus Smith, continuing 
with these gentlemen until 1859. He then assumed complete 
control of the paper and has conducted it successfully ever since, 
having the leading and only English Democratic paper in the 
county. March 27, 1859, he married Eachel H. Edmonston, a 
native of the county and daughter of Benjamin Edmonston. She 
died March 8, 1874, having borne six children, three now living: 
Benjamin E., present clerk of a public land committee at Wash- 
ington, D. C, Charlotte and George P. In 1874 (December 31), 
Mr. Doane married Mary A. Crooks, a native of Spencer County, 
and daughter of Dr. Crooks of Rockport, Ind. She died March 
18, 1883, leaving two children: Clement E. and Archibald C. 
Mr. Doane has taken a leading part in political affairs, and is 
an unswerving Democrat, and has been chairman of the County 
Democratic Central Committee for over twenty years, and is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. and belongs to the Methodist Church. 
He studied law and was admitted to practice in the county in 
1860, but in later years he has given the most of his attention 
to his paper, with which he has had the best of success. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 591 

BENEDICT DUPPS, a stanch Democrat of Dubois County, 
Ind., was born in Baden, Germany, March 3, 1833, and is the 
only child born to Christian and Otillia (Barger) Dupps. Our 
subject was reared in his native country, where he remained un- 
til he was twenty-two years old._ He received a good education 
in the schools of that country, and in 1855 he and his people took 
passage for the United States, landing first at New Orleans, from 
whence they came immediately to Dubois County, Ind., where 
they have since remained. In April, 1857, Helena Lampert be- 
came his wife, and to them eleven children have been born, of 
whom these ten are now living: John, Benedict T., Henry, Jo- 
seph, Theresa, Rosa, Elizabeth, Frank. Edward and Emma. Mr. 
Dupps is a successful farmer and now owns 216 acres of well im- 
Droved land. He and family are members of the Catholic Church. 

JOSEPH ECKSTEIN, of the firm of Kunkel & Eckstein, 
was born in Ripley County, Ind., March 9, 1856, and is the next 
oldest in a family of nine children born to Theodore and Louisa 
(Renner) Eckstein, natives of Germany, who came to this country 
when quite young, and settled on a farm near Jasper, in 1861. 
Joseph obtained a very good education and remained at home 
until he was twenty-five years old. February 14, 1882, his union 
with Theresa Haller w^as celebrated. They are the parents of 
one child, Louis. Soon after marriage Mr. Eckstein moved tO' 
Jasper, where he has ever since resided. He first engaged in 
teaming, which he followed about three months, and then pur- 
chased a one-half interest in a threshing machine, which business 
he follows every season. In 1883 he became a partner in the 
livery business, and has been very successful. He and family are 
Catholics, and he is a Democrat. 

MARTIN ECKSTEIN is a native of Ripley County, Ind., 
and was born November 9, 1857. He is the third in a family of 
nine children born to Theodore and Louisa (Renner) Eckstein, 
who were natives of Germany, and came to the United States in 
1864. Martin passed his boyhood on a farm, where he received 
a fair education in the common schools. His father died in 
1870, and he was compelled to assist in the maintenance of the 
family. May 1, 1884, he embarked in the brewery business, at 
which he has been very successful. May 8, 1883, his marriage 
with Josephine Schilter was celebrated. They are the parents 
of one child, Hermann. He and wife are members of the Catho- 
lic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. 

JOSEPH EGG, citizen of Jasper, Ind., was born in France, 
September 13, 1882, and is the only living child born to Henry 
and Ursula (Jemean) Egg. Our subject was reared in his na- 
tive country, where he received a good education, and remained 
until thirty years of age. At the age of thirteen, in accordance 



592 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY, 

with the customs of his native land, he learned the stone-cutter's 
trade. He was married to Mary Kuh, May 19, 1844, and they 
became the parents of five children: Emma, Kosa, Pauline, 
Charles and Mary. Mr. Egg and family immigrated to the 
United States in 1852, and landed at New Orleans with but $35 
to meet their expenses. They came directly to this State and 
county, and settled at Jasper, where they have ever since lived. 
In 1854 his wife was called from among the living. He worked 
at his trade three years, and then purchased what is now known 
as the Daniel House, and began keeping hotel and saloon, con- 
tinuing in this till 1864, when he began keeping a general mer- 
chandise store, and in connection was appointed postmaster of 
Jasper by President Lincoln, and held the office almost without an 
interval of rest until 1877. In 1854 he married Kosa Miller, 
and by her he became the father of three children: Elizabeth, 
John and Theresa. He and family are members of the Catholic 
Church, and he is a Democrat, and has been town councilman 
for five years. 

EDWARD ERNY was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., July 17, 
1840, and is the eldest in a family of eight children born to 
Dominic and Johanna (Kaiser) Erny, who were born in Switzer- 
land and came to this State in 1842, and settled on a farm in 
Dubois County, near Jasper. One year later they moved to Jas- 
per and the father began working at the tailor's trade. Edward 
was raised in Jasper, where he received a good common school 
education, but he passed much of his time at the old homestead. 
His father died in 1864 and his mother in 1880. June 22, 1869, 
he married Katharine Goetz and to their union eight children 
have been born, of which these five are now living: Albert, Will- 
iam, Mary, Helen, and Emma. Edward has always been a farmer 
and quite a successful one financially. He owns 120 acres of ex- 
cellent and well cultivated land. He and family are members of 
the Catholic Church and in politics he is a Democrat. 

MRS. T. ERNY, proprietress of the only hardware store in 
Jasper, Ind., succeeded to the business on the death of her hus- 
band, Wendolin Erny, who was a native of Switzerland, where he 
was born April 6, 1820. His parents were Benedict and Regina 
Erny. In 1832, Wendolin, who was about twelve years old, im- 
migrated to the United States, and remained for some time in 
Pittsburgh where he learned the tinner's trade. In 1847 he came 
to Dubois County and settled in Jasper where he immediately 
established a tinner's shop, and succeeded so well that he soon 
after added a hardware stock. June 13, 1848, he married Theresa 
Oberst, who bore him five children: Mary Ann, Theresa, Louisa, 
Louis and Rosa, the last four being deceased. Mr. Erny was 
very successful in all his business unaertakings, and at his death. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 595 

wliicli occurred April 6, 1879, the community lost an honored and 
respected citizen whose memory will be cherished for years to 
come. He died in the Catholic faith. He was elected to the 
office of town treasurer, and in politics was a Democrat. 

JOSEPH FRIEDMAN, senior member of the firm of Fried- 
man. Scheirich & Co., of the Eclipse Planing and Saw-mill is a 
native of Pennsylvania, where he was born March 19, 1831, son 
of Joseph and Mary Friedman, who were natives of Germany. 
Before our subject was three years old his parents removed from 
Pennsylvania to this State of which they have since been residents. 
Joseph Jr., assisted his parents until he attained his majority, 
when he married Apalonia Eckenfells; ten children were born to 
them, only eight of whom are living: Mary, Clarissa, Josephine, 
Elizabeth, Joseph and Anna (twins), William and Helena. In 
1854 our subject engaged in the mercantile trade at Jasper, at 
which he continued until 1874. Some time prior to this he had 
embarked in the saw and planing-mill business and in connection 
bought and shipped tobacco. In 1874 he disposed of his store, 
and since that time has devoted his time almost exclusively to his 
mill, and dealing in lumber of all kinds. February 26, 1878, Mr. 
Friedman's wife was called from among the living, and about 
April 11, 1880 he married Anna Habberly. He and family are 
members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat and a very 
successful business man. 

GEORGE FRIEDMAN, a member of the firm of Friedman, 
Scheirich & Co.. is a native of Jasper, Ind., and was born April 
23, 1838, the youngest in a family of nine children, born to Jo- 
seph and Mary A. Friedman, who came fi-om Germany, and were 
among the first settlers of the community. George was reared on 
the farm and in the store until he attained his majority. His 
education is limited, owing to the undeveloped school systems of 
that day. In 1858 he married Rosa Reolle, and they became the 
parents of nine children: Mary, Joseph, Martin, John, Joseph- 
ine, Andrew, August, Louis, and Henry. Our subject made 
his first start in life as a farmer, in which business he con- 
tinued until 1801, when he realized the necessity of quelling the 
rebellion, and accordingly volunteered his services as a musician. 
A short time afterward bands were done away with, and in 1865 
he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Vol- 
unteers. After his return he engaged in the planing-mill busi- 
ness, at which he continued until 1871, when he and his brother 
engaged in saw-milling and lumbering. In 1884, they and Peter 
Scheirich became partners, and have since been very successful 
in their business ventures. Mr. Friedman and family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat. 

MARTIN FRITCH, is a native of Germany, born November 



596 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

11, 1833, and is the elder of two children born to Charles and 
Mary A. (Hurst) Fritch. Oui- subject remained in his native 
country until he was nine years of age, when he and his people 
eEibarked for the United States, and came to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
where they remained six weeks, and then came to this county and 
State, and settled a short distance from our subject's present 
place of abode. A few years subsequent to their coming here, 
the father died, and Martin took charge of the farm, where he 
has always remained. His English education is very limited, 
owing to the hard work he was obligeil to do on the farm, and to 
the poor school advantages of his day. November 14, 1854, he 
was married, and became the father of nine children, eight now 
living: Andrew, Theresa, William, Henry, Mary, August, Jo- 
seph and Frank. They have been quite successful, and own 280 
acres of well improved land. They are Catholics, and Mr. Fritch 
is a warm Democrat. 

GEOEGE FUHEMAN, a prominent citizen and Democrat 
of Dubois County, Ind., was born December 20, 1848. His par- 
ents, Simon and Elizabeth (Mather) Fuhrman, were born in Ger- 
many, and immigrated to the United States at an early day, set- 
tling among the dense timber land of Dubois County. The 
father died when George was a small lad, and owing to the neces- 
sity of working for his mother, he received a limited education. 
He was married, April 13, 1873, to Margaret Sendelweck, and to 
their union four children were born, these three of whom are liv- 
ing: Maggie, John and Heniy. Mr. Fuhrman is a Democrat in 
politics, an intelligent and enterprising citizen, and has always 
followed the life of a farmer, with good success, and now owns 
260 acres of good land. He and wife are worthy members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and tave liberally contributed from 
their means in the support of all laudable enterprises. 

ANDKEW GIESLEE was born February 5, 1848, and is the 
eldest of four children born to Lorenz and Barbara Giesler, 
natives of Germany. The father came to the United States as 
early as 1845, and soon after located in this county and farmed 
until his death in 1871. The mother died in 1857. Andrew was 
raised on the farm and secured a fair English and German educa- 
tion. At the age of twenty-three he and Theresa Oestrich were 
J"oined in the holy bonds of matrimony. She died in 1881 and 
eft four children: Mary C, Elizabeth C, John "VV. and Joseph J. 
In 1881 he married Theresa Goetz, his present wife. Mr. Giesler 
is a Democrat and he and wife are Catholics. He is considered 
an honest and successful farmer and esteemed by all as an ex 
cellent citizen and neighbor. 

JOHN GIESLEE, a well to do young farmer of Bainbridge 
Township, was born in this county July 27, 1855, and is the 



DIOGHArmCAL SKKTCFIES. 597 

youngest clukl of Lorenz and Barbara (Fraiis) Cliesler (^«ee 
sketch of Andrew (liesler ). John enjoyed the free and happy life 
of a farmer's boy and attended the district schools, alternating 
uith work on the farm. At the age of seventeen years he left the 
••parental roof and Avorked two years as a farmhand and then 
in a brewery in Jasper, nntil he was twenty-five years old, when 
he purcliased his present farm and began tilling the soil, meeting 
with good su('c(»ss. linancially. He has ninety acres of land, forty- 
three of which ar(^ under good cultivation. Noveinl)er V2. ISTn. 
he wedded Katherinc Hocligesang, by whom liP is the father of 
three children: William ]ii.. Tillie (deceased) and Li-ander. The 
family are Catholics, and he is a Demorat and ])ears the reputa- 
tion of being an industrious and enterprising young farmer. 

JACOB (tOSMANN. dealer in books, stationery, wall-})aper, 
pictures, etc., established his business in Sej)tember, 18S(), and 
carries a stock valued at $2,000 and does an annual business of 
1.800. Mr. Gossman is a native of York. Penn., born February 
1(), 1834, and is the sixth in a family of fifteen children, born to 
Frederick and Mary A. (Friedel) Gossman. Our subject received 
a. common school edvication, mostly obtained by close application, 
without the aid of a teacher. He was engaged as a country mer- 
chant on the State road between Gettysburg and Hanover, and 
during the war both rebel and Union forces passed his place of 
business, taking almost his entire stock. In 18(54 he started for 
Indiana, and reached Dubois County April 15, of the same year. 
The folloAving fall he began teaching and followed that occupation 
nine years, and saved enough money, meanwhile, to again embark 
in the mercantile business, at which he has had the best of suc- 
cess. May IH, 188(5, he married Siisan Neuhausel, who bore him 
six children, only one of whom is living, Francis Xavier. February 
11, 1879, his wife died, and October 14, 1880, he married Caro- 
line Seger. They are the parents of two children: Annie Mary, 
born July 28, 1881, and Helen Manie, born August 1, 1883. 
He and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a 
Democrat and served three years as de])uty county clerk, and is 
treasurer of the Building Loan Fund and Saving Association. 

PETER J. GOSMANN, clerk of Dubois County, Ind., was 
born in Pennsylvania, July 27, 1848, son of Frederick and Mary 
Ann (Friesdl), natives of Germany. They came to the United 
States about 1835, and located in Pennsylvania, where the father 
practiced medicine until I8f54, when he came to Dubois County, 
Ind., and practiced his profession until his death, in 1870. Peter 
was raised in Germany, and at the age of fifteen, learned the 
cigar-maker's tracle, which he followed four years. Later, he fol- 
lowed these various occupations: clerking, teamster and suttler's 
clerk in the army, farming, and later, obtained a position^ in the 



598 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

commissary department of the Government. He lived for some 
time in Philadelphia, and, in 1866, came to Dubois County, and 
worked at teaming and merchandising with a brother for four 
years. He taught school three winters, and, in 1871, engaged in 
merchandising for himb-^^lf, in Marion Township. In 1873, he en- 
gaged in the same business in Celestine, remaining there until 
1877, when he came to Jasper, and entered upon his duties as 
clerk. He served four years, and was re-elected in 1880. May 
23, 1871, he married Anna M. Segers. They are the parents of 
seven children, one son deceased. He and family are members 
of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN GRAMELSPACHEE & CO., proprietors of the 
Jasper Planing-mills, and wholesale and retail dealers in rough 
and dressed lumber, established their business in 1871 on a much 
^mailer scale, having invested about $5,000, and doing an an- 
imal business of about $8,000. They now have about $25,000 
invested, and will do this year (1885) about $60,000. John 
dramelspacher, senior member of the firm, and native of Jasper, 
Ind., was born December 15, 1845, son of Joseph and Sophia 
(Freidman) Gramelspacher, natives of Germany, who came to 
this State in 1837, where the father died October 17, 1853. 
When John was twelve years of age, he went to Owensboro, Ky., 
where he remained until the breaking out of the war, and then 
enlisted in the Confederate army, remaining with them sixteen 
months, when he deserted, and joined the Union forces, enlisting 
in Company E, Second Battalion, Fifteenth United States In- 
fantry. He served three years, and was in the battles of Bridge- 
port, Ala., Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Buzzard's Boost, Kene- 
saw Mountain, and numerous others. After his final discharge 
he engaged in the retail drng business in Jasper, Ind., which he 
continued two years. Until 1871 he was engaged in divers oc- 
cupations, when he embarked in his present business, Septem- 
ber 11, 1866, he married Franziska Dupps, who bore him four 
children, three of whom are living: George, Anna and Gustave 
A. Mr. Gramelspacher is a member of the Masonic Lodge of 
Irela,nd, Ind. He is a Democrat, but very liberal in his views. 
He is very successful in business undertakings, and is much re- 
spected throughout the community. 

BAZIL L. GREENE, clerk of Dubois County, Ind., was 
born October 1, 1851, son of James and Nancy (Edmonston) 
Greene, natives of Indiana. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation. His death occurred in 1853. The mother afterward 
married Henry Weathers, by whom she bore three children, one 
now living. Bazil L., was raised by his grandsire, Bazil B. 
Edmonston, receiving a fair literary education, and attended the 
State University at Bloomington, Ind., two years. At the age of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 599 

seventeen he began teaching the "young idea;" continuing at 
this four years. When twenty-two, he accepted the position as 
deputy clerk, under his grandfather Edmonston, remaining with 
him live or six years — and some time after was deputy clerk un- 
der Gossman. In 1882 he was elected to the lower house of the 
State Legislature, from Dubois and Martin Counties. Since that 
time he has been engaged in general insurance in Jasper, un- 
til 1884, when he was elected to his present office, which he is 
filling very creditably, He has served as town clerk from 1874 
to 1883. August 6, 1876, he married Theresa H. Pfaif. They 
have two children living: Jesse B. and Bessie. Mr. Greene is a 
Democrat in politics, and a Mason. His wife is a member of the 
Catholic Church. 

HABIG & ECKSTEIN are proprietors of the Jasper brew- 
ery, which was established by Andrew Hochgesang, and from whose 
widow they purchased it in 1884. They manufacture about 1800 
barrels of liquor annually. Anton Habig, senior member of the 
firm, and native of Dubois County, Ind., was born October 27, 
1844, son o^ Anton and Sabina (Denhauser) Habig, natives of 
Germany, who came to this country at a very early date. Our 
subject was reared on a farm, where he remained and assisted 
his parents until he was twenty years old. He received a limited 
education in consequence of the poor facilities of that day. In 
1864, he came to Jasper and began running a peddling wagon 
between that place and New Albany. Three years later, he began 
di'iving a beer wagon, and gradually worked upward until he 
became one of the proprietors of the brewery. May 17, 1870, 
he married Fronia Schitter. To their union five children were 
born: Edward, Josephine, Frank, Helena and Caroline. Mr. 
Habig has been very successful in business, and he and his family 
are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a Demp 
crat. 

BENJAMIN F. HARNED was born in Orange County, Ind., 
October 9, 1844. His parents, Charles and Lucinda (Stallcup) 
Harned, were natives of Virginia and Indiana, respectively. They 
removed from Orange to Dubois County in 1847, and settled on a 
farm. Benjamin F. passed his boyhood days on the farm, living 
with his parents until his mother's death, which occurred in 1854. 
He then worked for different parties until 1862, when he enlist-ed 
in his country's cause as volunteer private in Company K, Sixty- 
fifth Indiana Regiment, and served faithfully for three years. He 
fought bravely in the following important engagements : Siege of 
Knoxville, Tenn., Resaca and Dalton, Ga. and Cedar Creek, 
and was with Sherman, on his famous march to the sea. Septem- 
ber 2, 1866, Polly, daughter of Thomas Hopkins, became his 
wife, and to them seven children have been born: Thomas, 



■ 600 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Emory, Flora. Dora, Belle, Gracie L. and Mirnena. In politics, 
Mr. Harned is a warm adherent of the Republican party, and has 
taken an active interest in the political affairs of the day. He is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, Ireland Lodge No. 388, and 
is a highly successful farmer, owning 100 acres of good land. 

NENIAN HASKINS, recorder of Dubois County, Ind., and na- 
tive of the county, was born February 5, 1844, is one of a family 
of eleven children born to William and Mary (Russell) Hnskins. 
natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively. William 
came to Indiana with his father about iSltZ; they settled in Craw- 
ford County, where the father died. William Avas raised and 
married in that county, in 1831 or 1832 came to Dubois County, 
and settled on a farm near Knoxville, where he farmed ten years ; 
he afterward located on a farm in Bainbridge Township, where 
he remained twenty-six years; he now resides on a farm in 
Jefferson Township. Our subject passed his boyhood on the 
farm and received a limited education in the primitive schools of 
his boyhood days; at the age of nineteen years he began farming 
and made that his exclusive occu{)ation until 1872, when he 
engaged in the cattle and butchering business, continuing in 
that capacity four years; he was United States mail carrier be- 
tween Jasper and Petersburg for four years, and then engaged 
in buying cattle and wool ; he is an unswerving Democrat, in 
politics, and in 18^2 was elected to the office of recorder, which 
he is filling ably and well ; he was justice of the peace from 1870 
to 1878, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W., 
and he and wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
October 12, 1803, he married Sarah Hopkins, a native of the 
county. They are the parents of six children : Florence, Fran- 
ces, Sarah A. , Felix, Edgar and Ida. Mr. Haskins is an example 
of the self-made man; he started in life with little or no capital, 
but by untiring energy and economy has succeeded in obtaining 
a good com[)etencv. 

CLEMENS HENKEY is a native of Dubois County, Ind., 
born September 20, 1847, and is a son of Bernhard and Agnes 
(Bulles) Henkey. The father came from Germany to the United 
States about 1S40 and settled near Dayton, Ohio, where he fol- 
lowed the watch-maker's trade ; later he came to this county and 
purchased a farm in Marion Township, where he remained until 
1880, when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he now re- 
sides, in his eighty-fifth year; he is living with his fourth wife, 
the first three having died, and has been the father of twenty-six 
children by the four wives. Clement was raised a farmer, se- 
cured a fair education in youth, and when twenty-seven years old 
married Margaret Guender, and settled on his present farm of seven- 
ty acres ; he is the father of four children : Elizabeth, John, Mary 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 601 

and Theresa; he is a Democrat in politics, and an upright, indus- 
trious citizen, whom to know is to resi)ect and esteem. 

TOBlAS HERBIG, retail liquor dealer of Jasper, Ind., was 
born in Germany, April 12, 1832; son of John and Kathrina 
(Schneider) Herbig; in 1835 they started for the United States, 
and landed at New York, and came to this State after a three 
months' stay in Wheeling, W. Va. Six weeks after their arrival, 
Mr. Herbig was killed by a falling tree, which left the family 
without a protector. Tobias remained at home until he was 
eighteen years old; in his boyhood days schoolhouses were few 
and far between and the roads leading to them were through a 
wilderness of woods. Notwithstanding these drawbacks he re- 
ceived a fair education; he learned the wagon-maker's trade with 
Sebastian Kueble, and then established a shop for himself which 
he continued until 18(58. February 14, 1854, he married Mary 
Lampert. They became the parents of eleven children, only two 
now living: Elizabeth and Joseph. In 1801 Mr. Herbig en- 
gaged in his present business. He owns the property on which the 
Pike AVhite Sulphur Springs are situated, ten miles southwest of 
Jasper, on which he is building a large hotel, and intends making 
everything pleasant for invalids visiting the springs. The waters 
are strongly impregnated Avith mineral properties and are said to 
have effected some wonderful cures. Mr. Herbig is a member of 
the Catholic Church, is a Democrat, and has held a number of 
county offices. 

MICHAEL HOCHGESANG was born in Bavaria September 
2'), 1832, and is the youngest of eight children born to Andrew 
and Matilda (Benkert) Hochgesang. In 1848 they started for 
the United States, and on the voyage the mother was taken ill and 
died and was buried in the ocean while en route. The father 
came with his children to Indiana and located a few miles from 
Jasper, where he lived six years and then lived with his son-in- 
law, Adam Smith, until he died in 1870. Michael remained hard 
at work on the farm until he was twenty years old, when he went 
to Louisville, Ky., and learned the bricklayer's trade. A year 
later he returned to this county and worked at his trade, and also 
contracting and building. After some time he began farming 
and continued it to the present time. In 1880 he established a 
brickyard near Jasper, and has made money in that business. 
He manufactures about 500,000 brick of superior quality per an- 
num. As a Democrat, Mr. Hochgesang was coroner of the 
county five years, and filled the office creditably. In 1852 he 
married Otilda Habig, who bore him ten children: Mary, Joseph 
(deceased), Andrew, Albert, John, Rosa, Amelia, Dominic. Law- 
rence and Leo. 

FRANK HOPKINS, farmer, was born February 25, 1853, 



602 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

and is the voungest of six children born to Thomas and Kachel 
(Harris) Hopkins. Thomas came to this State from Tennessee 
about half a century ago, and was among the earliest settlers ot 
the county. He chose for his home a farm about three miles 
from Jasper. Here he died when our subject was but two yea^-s 
of ace Frank, remained at home and helped his mother on the 
farm, and owing to this and the poor facilities of the day he re- 
ceived a limited education. In 1876 they removed to the farm 
now occupied by him, and August 3, 1879, Alice Mathews became 
his wife They became the parents of two children, only one now 
living Porter. Mr. Hopkins has always made" farming his occu- 
pation and has succeeded well in that pursuit. He now owns 120 
acres of good land, and is on the road to wealth. He is a Repub- 
lican and always manifests a lively interest in the political affairs 
of the county and community in which he lives, where he is con- 
sidered an enterprising and rising farmer. „ xr x 

W S HUNTER, attorney, of the firm of Traylor & Hunter, 
of Jasper, Ind., was born in Pennsylvania, December 22, 1848, 
son of Robert and Emily (Callen) Hunter, natives also of Penn- 
sylvania. . The father who was of Scotch-Irish descent came to 
Indiana in 1858 and settled in Perry County where he farmed 
and taught school. Winfield S., oui- subject, received a good edu- 
cation, and at the age of fifteen enlisted as a private m Company 
L Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, serving in the Army of the Cum- 
berland over two years. At the close of the war he returned 
home and taught school until about 1874, meanwhile studying 
law with the view to making it a profession. In 18 ^o he was ad- 
mitted to the Perry County bar, and graduated from the law d_e- 
partment of the State University of Bloomington, Ind. In 18 <b 
he came to Jasper, and practiced his profession two years and 
later entered into partnership with Mr. Traylor. They are doing 
the leading legal business of the county. September 22, 18 /o, 
he married Isabel Gladish, a native of Pike County, Ind. They 
have four children— two sons and two daughters. He is a Repub- 
lican and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

FRANK JOSEPH & CO., manufacturers and dealers m 
spokes, established their business in 1883 and do an annual bus- 
iness of about $8,000 to $10,000. Ignatz Eckert of the above 
firm was born July 31, 1836, in Baden, Germany, and is the eld- 
est in a family of seven children born to Francis X. and Rosa 
(Elmlinger) Eckert. Ignatz was raised in his native country 
until he attained i^he age of eleven years. He then immigrated 
to the United States with his parents and located m Dubois 
County, Ind.,where he received a very good common school edu- 
cation: October 15, 1857, he married Theresa Gramelspacher who 
bore him twelve children, eleven of whom are now living: Rosa, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 603 

Frank, Fronia, Carrie, Harmon, Joseph, Adaline, Andrew, Jacob, 
Sophia and William. After marriage Mr. Eekert established abrew- 
ery whicli he eontinned eighteen years, and then engaged in the re- 
tail druggist business for four years. In 1H78 he was elected to 
the othoe of ct^unty treasurer, which office he filled very effi- 
ciently. Heauil family are members of the Catholic Church. 

EDWAllD J. KEMPF, M. D., of Jasper, Ind., was born in 
the town of Ferdinand, September 80, 1S58, son of Matthew and 
Catherine (Jeglie) Kempf, who were natives of Baden and 
Switzerland, respectively. The father came to the. United States 
and locateil in Louisville, Ky., where he studied medicine and 
practiced that profession until 1857, when he came to Dubois 
County and ccmtinued practicing until his death. He was a very 
successful physician and surgeon, and was professor of surgery 
in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville at the time of 
his death in IvSSO. He was a Democrat and a member of the 
State Legislature in 1859. The mother died in 1877. Our sub- 
ject was raiseil in Ferdinand, receiving a good education, and 
atteniletl St. Meinrad College four years. He began studying 
medicine when seventeen years old, and attended the University 
of Louisville during 187H, 1877 and 1878, graduating from that 
college in 1878. He then returned home and began practicing 
with his father. He practiced his profession in Ferdinand until 
1S85, when he came to Jasper. In 1884 he married Carrie Judy. 
He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

MATHIAS KLINGEL was born in Dubois County, Ind., 
February 28, 18-15, and is the third in a family of ten children 
born to John P. and Theresa (Reiling) Klingel, who came from 
Germany to this State in 1841. Our subject remained at home, 
working on the farm, until he was twenty-two years old. He re- 
ceived a fair education in the common schools of his native State, 
and February 2<), 1867, his marriage with Mary A. Sander was 
solemnized. To their union one child has been born, Theodore, 
born September 15, 18()9. After his marriage, he, in partnership 
with his brother, established a saw and grist-mill about five mileB 
east of Jasper, continuing there seven years. In the spring of 1885 
he removed to Jasper and purchased an interest with Mr. Seibert 
in the shingle and barrel manufacturing business, at which he has 
since continued. They have been very successful in their busi- 
ness ventures, and, being of an enterprising spirit, have every 
indication of being one of the best firms in the vicinity. In pol- 
itics Mr. Klingel is a Democrat, and he and family are members- 
of the Catholic Church. 

ANDREW KREMPP, son of Andrew and Mary (Straus) 
Krempp, was born in Baden, Germany, January Q, 1836. He 



604 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

received a good education in the schools of his native land, also 
a good schooling in France in the English language. He learned 
the baker and confectionery trade. In 1S(')4 he came to the 
United States, landing at New York, where he remained about 
five months, and then went to St. Louis and remained there about 
the same length of time, when he volunteered his services as 
baker for the Government for six months, but, on account of the 
war closing, he did not remain that long. He staid for some 
time in St. Louis, and from there moved to Tell City, Ind., thence 
to Troy, thence back to Tell City, and then came to Jasper in 
1876, where he has since resided. Louisa Ledig became his wife 
October 2(3, 1860. They are the parents of seven children: Le- 
na, Charles, Andrew, Conrad, George, Carrie and Alfonso. In 
1880 he established a pop manufactory. He has been very suc- 
cessful in his enterprises, and is now running a fancy grocery 
store, in connection with his manufactory. He owns 22 acres 
of good land, partly within the town corporation. He and fam- 
ily are members of the Catholic Church, and he is an A. O. JJ. 
W. and a Democrat. 

SEBASTIAN KUEBLEK, merchant of Jasper, Ind., was 
born in Baden, Germany, January 16), 1829, son of John and 
Magdalena (Gutzwiler) Kuebler, natives also of Baden. The 
father came to this country about 1882-33 and located in Ohio, 
where he farmed a number of years and in 1810 he removed to 
Dubois County, and still continued farming until he retired from 
work. He and wife resided with our subject until their deaths. 
Sebastian was raised in this county and learned the wagon 
maker's trade and followed this and blacksmithing in Jasper for 
over twenty years with good success. In 1875 he engaged in 
the leaf tobacco business, continuing in this three years. In 
1878 he started his present business there and to the present 
time has met with fair success. He has a large and select stoci: 
of general merchandise and has a good trade. In 1853 he mar 
ried Stephana Lampert, a native of Germany. To them wert 
born ten children — three sons and seven daughters. Mr. Kueb- 
ler is a Democrat and has held the office of township trustee, 
four years. He was one of the first members of the town council 
and secured the incorporation of Jasper. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church and he is one of the solid business 
men of the county. 

KUNKEL & ECKSTEIN. Their livery stable was estab- 
lished in 1877 under the firm name of Kunkel & Chrisinon. It 
had been under the proprietorship of different parties until 1882 
when the present partnership was formed. Paul Kunkel, a native 
of Germany, was born May 19, 1812, and is the fourth child in a 
family of eleven children born to Konrad and Mary (Morhard) 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 005 

Kunkel. When our subject was only nine years old, he with his 
parents, immigrated to the United States and came almost direct- 
ly to Dubois County, Ind., where they have since made their 
home. They settled in a wilderness of woods, which abounded 
in wild game of all kinds, and began clearing ofif their land and 
making them a comfortable home. Here Paul remained with his 
mother, his father having died in 18o5, until he Avas twenty- 
three years old, and one year later, married Mary John. To 
their union were born ten children, eight of whom are living: 
Philip, Frank, Julia, George, Maggie. Bertha, Gustav and Rege. 
One vear subsequent to his marriage Mr. Kunkel kept a general 
merchandise store southeast of Jasper, and operated a saw-mill 
at the same time. In 1877, he removed to Jasper and started 
his present business. He and family belong to the Catholic 
Church and he is a Democrat and has held the office of deputy 
sheriif four years. 

PELIX LAMPERT, blacksmith and manufacturer of wagons, 
carriages and plows, of Jasper, Ind., was born in Baden, Germany, 
March, 1884, antl is the younger of a family of two children 
who were brought by their parents to the United States when 
our subject was but three years of age. They settled im- 
mediately in this county and State and began farming. At 
the age of nineteen Felix came to Jasper and learned the black- 
smith's trade and for some time worked in St. Louis and at other 
points. He settled permanently in Jas])er in 185() and worked 
the first five years as journeyman, with Sebastian Kuebler. He 
began business for himself in 18G1. May 30, 1859, he married 
Helena Bretz and they became the parents of twelve children, 
eight of whom are living: William J., Edward, Isabella, Caroline, 
George, Charles, Frank and Otho. Our subject started in busi- 
ness on a small scale, but now has the best manufactory in town. 
He is a Democrat and he and wife belong to the Catholic 
Church. 

FRANK LECHNER, a son of Frank and Mary (Fritsch) 
Lechner, and one of three children, was born in Baden. Germany, 
October 5, 1823. The father, who was a native of France, was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war in that country, being a mem- 
ber of Napoleon's army. He was afterward engaged as stage 
driver, and had the honor of having the Emperor ride with him 
when he was on a trip to Prussia. March 31, 1837, the family 
took passage for America, landing at New Orleans. They came 
to Cincinnati. Ohio, and later came to Jasper, via Troy. Here 
they settled on the farm where our subject now lives. Seven 
years after their arrival the mother died, and about five years 
later the father's death occurred. Frank was raised on a farm, 
but received no English education. February 7, 1848, Mary 



606 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Wagner became his wife, and to them ten children have been 
bom; only Frank, Conrad, Peter, Joseph, Felix, Mary, Maggie, 
Alice and Adam now living. Frank has been a farmer all his 
life, and by good management now owns a farm of 500 acres of 
good land. He is identified with the Democratic party, and he 
and wife are members of the Catholic church. 

ANDKEW MEHRINGER was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
November 20, 1829, and is the next eldest in a family of seven 
children born to Andrew and Margaret (Dearhoff) Mehringer. 
In 1834 they learned of the advantages to be gained by coming 
to the new world, and accordingly they and a family by the name 
of Spindler came here to seek their fortunes, and were the first 
families known to have left that province for America. They 
landed at Baltimore, and came as far as Cincinnati, Ohio, where 
Andrew Mehringer, Sr,, left his family and came on to 
Dubois County, Ind., and purchased land, making the entire 
trip there and back on foot. Our immediate subject made 
his home with his parents until he was seventeen years old; 
he then went to work as a gardener at Louisville, where 
he lived until 1854, when he returned to Dubois County, 
and has ever since resided. In September, 1853, he married 
Mary Schwerer, and to them one child was born — John F. 
In October, 1855, Mrs. Mehringer died, and September 30, 
1856, he took for his second wife Kathrina Brosemer, by 
whom he is the father of eleven children, ten of whom are living : 
Joseph A., Henry S., Lawrence L., Josephine, Lizzie, Ratherine, 
Antony, Mary, Rosa, and Lucy. Mr. Mehringer has succeeded 
well as a farmer, and now owns 128 acres of well improved land. 
He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a 
Democrat, and hafe been appointed sheriff twice, and acted as 
deputy sheriff for about twenty -four years. 

JOHN F. MEHRINGER, brother of Joseph A., was born 
March 30, 1855. He was reared on a farm in this county, with 
his parents, and obtained a fair education in the common schools 
near his home. He remained at home, following a farmer's life, 
until August 30, 1881, when he married Elizabeth Bretz, native of 
Dubois County. In February, 1882, he engaged in the drug busi- 
ness with his brother, Joseph A., whose sketch follows this. Mr. 
Mehringer is a Democrat in politics, and was town treasurer two 
years. He is the father of two children: Frank J. and Ernest 
H. He and wife are members of the Cathplic faith, and he is 
esteemed by the community for his many excellent business and 
social qualities. 

JOSEPH A. MEHitlNGER, druggist, of Jasper, Ind., was 
bom July 19, 1857, son of Andrew and Kathrina (Brosemer) 
Mehringer. (See sketch of Andrew' Mehringer.) Joseph A. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 607 

was raised in this county, and received a fair German and En- 
glish education. At the age of fourteen, he engaged in the drug 
business as clerk for Martin Friedman, at Jasper, and remained 
with him three years. He then attended the Louisyille College 
of Pharmacy, and received a diploma from there in 1881. He 
afterward clerked in various places until 1882, when he engaged 
in the drug business in partnership with his brother John. They 
have a well-stocked store, and are doing a thriving business in 
Jasper. In 1882 he was elected a member of the American 
Pharmaceutical Association, of which he is still a member. June 
19, 1883, he married Eosa E. Friedman, a native of Jasper. He 
is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

NICHOLAS J. OBERST is a member of the firm of Fried- 
man, Scheirich & Co., who established their business in 1884, 
with a capital stock of $50,000. He is a native of Dubois County, 
born February 24, 1850, and is the third in a family of eleven 
children born to John N. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Oberst, who 
were natives of Germany, the former coming to this State and 
county about 1832. Our immediate subject was raised in this 
and Martin Counties, and received a good common school educa- 
tion. In 1874, he entered into partnership with P. Scheirich and 
Paul Egg, under the firm name of P. Egg & Co. Two years 
later Mr. Egg retired from the saw-mill business, and the 
remaining partners purchased his interest and established a 
planer in connection with their sawing department. They continued 
in the business under the name of P. Scheirich & Co., until 1884, 
where the firms were united as above. They deal in all kinds of 
lumber, lath and shingles, sashes and blinds, and, in connection 
with their mill, operate a retail hardware store, and deal in all 
kinds of goods pertaining to that line of business. They empl(^ 
about thirty-five men and are doing one of the most extensive 
trades of any firm in southern Indiana. Mr. Oberst' e marriage 
with Miss Davis was solemnized in 1872. They are the parents 
of four children, and he and his family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

GEBHARD F. REYLING was born in Dubois County, Ind., 
May 24, 1850, and is one of two surviving children bom to 
George A. and Monica (Oberst) Reyling, who were bom in Ger- 
many, and came to this country at a very early day. They were 
among the first settlers of the county, and first located about 
four miles east of Jasper, where the father established a mill on 
the Patoka River, and operated it until 1875, when he sold out 
and removed to Jasper. Here our subject was raised and edu- 
cated, and at the age of seventeen years, he began learning the 
cabinet-maker's trade, at which he continued until he had 



008 ^ HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

attained the age of twenty-three years. June lo. LsTt). his njar- 
riage with Lucy Eckstein was celebrated. They became tlir^ 
parents of four children: Geor^^e J.. Mary, Theodore and Helena. 
Since his marriage he has followed the occupation of farming, 
and has been (piite successful. He now owns 'I'-H acres of well 
improved land. He is a Democrat, and the family belong to the 
Catholic Church. 

JOHN SALB & SON. retail li.pior (healers. i'stal)1ished th-ii 
saloon in June. ISTS. The senior member of th(» firm was bi)rn in 
Baden, Germany, August 24, lS2l, and is a son of Paul and Katli- 
rina (Ereth) Salb. He was raised in his native country, and 
obtained a good ordinary education in the schools of that hnnl. 
In the latter part of isll). or fore part of LSoO. he mari'ied Bar- 
bara Hauser, and they became the parents of three children, only 
two now living: Henry, who married Agnes Eckstein, and Jolni 1'.. 
whose wife Avas Maggie Betz. November 11. iSo'J. John. Sr.. ;ind 
family, started for the United States, and while en route, w^re. 
shi[)wrecked off Long Island, January 14. lN."3;l and reached 
New York City four days later, when they removed to Ohio, 
remaining there three years, when they came to Jasper, Ind.. 
where they have since remained, with tlie exception of some tinn- 
spent in Louisville, Ky. Up to the time he established his pres- 
ent business he was engaged in farming, and as l)oot and shoe 
merchant, and has been very successful in all his undertakings. 
October 12, 1877, Mrs. Salb died. Mr. Salb and family are 
members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. 
and has been a member of the town council two years. 

CHRIST. SCHENK, native of Prussia, was born March 10. 
1843, son of Christ and Dorothea (Jacobs) Schenk. Our sul)- 
ject remained in his native land until he was twenty-four years 
old and received a good common school education. Meanwhile 
he learned the cabinet-maker's trade and in 1807 took passage for 
the United States, and first settled in Indianapolis, Ind., where 
he remained for one year and then moved to Tell City. In 1871> 
he came to Jasper, Ind. August 1,1870, his marriage with Au- 
gusta Steiner was solemnized. To their union two children were 
born: Fritz and Oscar. In the fall of 1883, he became one of 
the partners of the firm, Benkert & Co., manufacturers of oak 
and hickory spokes. They have a capital of $3,500 and are doing 
an. extensive business in their line, and have a fair outlook for 
the future. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church and he is an ardent Democrat and an excellent cititen. 

PETER SCHEIRICH, of the firm Friedman, Scheirich & Qsk. 
is a native of Dubois County, Ind., born February 29, 1842, son 
of Martin and Kathrina (Gearla) Scheirich, who were natives of 
Germany and who came to this State and county in October, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



609 



1832, and made their home two miles southeast of Jasper. Peter 
remained at home assisting his parents until he was twenty-four 
years old. He received such education as the facilities of the 
day afforded. May 16, 1865, his marriage with KeginaDoll was 
celebrated. After marriage he engaged in farming for himself, 
and beneath his sturdy stroke many a lofty oak has been laid low. 
He continued farming until 1872 when he disposed of his farm 
and embarked in the saw-milling business at which he has since 
continued. He and wife are members of the Catholic. Church. 
He has been very successful in all his business undertakings, be- 
irio- a member of one of the most enterprising firms in this vicin- 
ity. 

ISIDOE SCHUHMACHEK, auditor of Dubois County, Ind., 
was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 10, 1841, son of 

and Magdalena Schuhmacher, both natives of Germany where 

• the father died in 1847. Isidor was raised in his native country 
and received a fair education for the time and advantages he had 
for securing it. At the age of ten years he immigrated to the 
United States with his mother and located on a farm near Ferdi- 
nand where he lived three years, and then came' to Jasper and 
learned the wagon-maker's trade, following this and carpentering 
until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Indi- 
ana Infantry, and served his country faithfully and well for over a 
year. He then returned home and continued at his trade over 
two years, and then took the position as United States mail car- 
rier from Jasper to Loogootee, continuing four years. He then 
returned to his old occupation and in 1876 engaged in sell- 
ing furniture and agricultural implements. In 1878 he was elected 
county auditor, and four years later was re-elected. Caroline Voll- 
mer became his wife in 1861. She died seven years later, leav- 
ing him one child, Joseph I., who is deputy auditor. November 
17, 1868, Isidor took for his second wife Mary Egg, who has borne 
him seven children, six now living. He has been very successful 
in business affairs, and is considered an excellent citizen. He 
and wife are Catholics. 

ANDKEW SCHULER, member of the firm of M. Scheiricn, 
Schuler & Co., is a native of Dubois County, Ind., and was born 
September 21, 1851, and is the younger of two children born ta 
Joseph and Elizabeth (Schitter) Schuler, who were natives of 
Pennsylvania and France, respectively. They were among the 
first settlers of the county. Our subject's mother died when he 
was but eighteen months old and his father soon remarried. 
Andrew remained at home until he was twenty-six years old and 
assisted his parents. He received a good common school educa- 
tion. February 18, 1879, his marriage with Mary T. Eeyling 
was solemnized. To their union were born three sons: Theo- 



610 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

dore, Albert, and Emil. Mr. Scliuler's present occupation is 
merchant milling at which he is very successful. He and family 
are members of the Catholic church and he is a Democrat. 

M. SCHEIRICH, SCHULER & CO., are the proprietors of 
the Jasper Indiana Union Roller Flour Mill which was erected 
in 187() by Joseph Egg & Co. who operated it until 1879 when it 
was purchased by its present owners. It was originally a stone 
mill, but in 1884 it was remodeled and fitted up with roller pro- 
cess. Its capacity is seventy-five barrels per day and is valued 
at $15,000. They do an annual business of $40,000. Martin 
Scheirich, Jr., senior member of the firm was born in this county, 
October 24, 1852, and is a son of Martin and Kathrina (Gearla) 
Scheirich ( see sketch of Peter Scheirich ) . He remained at home 
until he was twenty-two years old, and received a go*^ ' education 
and April 21, 1874, he married Mary Egg who bore him three chil- 
dren, two now living: Joseph and Kathrina. Martin Jr., has 
been very successful in his milling business and it is not neces- 
sary to state that their flour ranks among the best in southern 
^ Indiana. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, 
and he is a Democrat and a member of the town council. 

JOSEPH SCHULER a prominent citizen of Dubois County 
Ind., was born in Pennsylvania, February 14, 1821, and is a son of 
Ptolemy and Rosa Schuler who were natives of Austria and Switzer- 
land, respectively. They came to the United States in 1810 with the 
understanding that they were to come over free, but were to work 
their passage after their arrival in this country. The father was 
sold to work for three years to pay the debt, but at the end of 
two years his purchaser died and he was then liberated. He lo- 
cated in Pennsylvania where he remained over ten years and then 
came to this State and county in the fall of 1837, and located on 
a farm near Jasper. Joseph remained on the farm until he was 
twenty-seven years old, and August 10, 1841), he married Elizabeth 
Schitter, by whom he is the father of these two children : James 
and Andrew. March 16, 1853, Mrs. Schuler died, and July 18, 
1853, he led to Hymen's altar Mary E. Bowshert. They are the 
parents of seven living children: Joseph, Helena, William, Rosa, 
Henry, Mary and Frank. Mr. Schuler is a Democrat and has 
held the office of county commissioner. He and family are 
Catholics and he is a well to do farmer and owns 400 acres of 
well improved land. 

ADAM SCHMITT, farmer, was born in Germany, May 27, 
1823, and the oldest living child born to Jacob and Margaret 
(Lang) Schmitt. Adam remained in his native land until he 
was seventeen years old. He received a good education, and in 
May, 1840, he and his parents immigrated to the United States, 
landing at Baltimore, Md., in August of that year. They came 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 613 

to Dubois County, Ind., soon after, where they have mad^> their 
home. Adam remained at home and aided his parents until 
their deaths, and April 10, 1849, his marriage with Magdalena 
Hochgesang was solemnized, and to their union nine children 
have been born, six of whom are living : Apalona, Mandana, An- 
drew, Magdalena, John and Joseph. Our subject has always 
been a farmer, and a successful one. He owns 300 acres of land, 
mostly improved. In politics he is a Democrat, and has never 
aspired to office. As a member of the Catholic Church he is 
ever ready to aid the benevolent causes in his community, with 
both influence and money. 

FEANK SEIBERT, senior member of the firm of Seibert & 
Klingel, of Jasper, Ind., is a native of Germany, where he was 
born August 15, 1843. He came with his parents to the United 
States when but a few months old. They first settled in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and when Frank was but six months old, his father 
died. They lived for ten or twelve -years in Cincinnati, when his 
mother remarried and moved to Newport, Ky., from whence they 
moved to Troy, Perry Co., Ind. Our subject lived there until 
1879, when he came to Tell City. In 1888 he moved to Jasper 
and purchased an interest in his present business, at which he 
has succeeded beyond his expectations. In May, 1873, he was 
married to Miss Louisa Knibel, by whom he is the father of 
three children: John W., Frank J. and Oscar E. He and fam- 
ily are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a 
Democrat. 

JOSEPH F. SERMEESHEIM, jeweler, of Jasper, Ind., was 
born February 1, 1852, and was raised at home, where he re- 
mained until he was eighteen years old, when he went to 
Evansville, Ind., and learned the jeweler's trade. He remained 
there two and a half years, and then went to Louisville, Ky., 
where he remained over a year, and then returned to Jasper and 
embarked in his present business for himself. He carries a 
$2,000 stock, and does an annual business of about $1,000. He 
has a first-class line of goods, and is doing a good trade. June 
27, 1876, he married Miss P. Burger. They are the parents of 
two children: Joseph J. and Charles. Himself and family are 
members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Demo- 
crat. He was postmaster for two years under Hayes' administra- 
tion, and has been a member of the town council five years 

HENRY S. SEEMERSHEIM, senior member of the firm of 
Sermersheim & Friedman, of Jasper, Ind., was born in the above 
place February 26, 1860, and is the sixth child in a family of 
eight children born to Joseph and Antony (Hurst) Sermersheim, 
who came from Germany at a very early day. Our subject, Hen- 
ry, was raised in Jasper, and received a collegiate education at 



614 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

St. Meinrad. For some time after returning from college he 
clerked in his mother's store, and afterward engaged in the cloth- 
ing business for himself, continuing until July, 1884, when he 
began keeping a livery stable, and has made a comfortable com- 
petency. In October, 1881, he married Elizabeth Friedman, by 
whom he is the father of one living child, Henrietta. They have 
one child dead, named Clara. He and family are members of the 
Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat. 

LOUIS SENG, Jr., is proprietor of the Depot Hotel, Jasper, 
Ind. The business was originally established by J. B. Kessner, 
and was subsequently owned by divers parties until the year 1882, 
when it was purchased by its present proprietor, who was born in 
Dubois County, Ind., October 3, 1855, and is the fourth in a family 
of twelve children born to Louis and Elizabeth (Hoifman) Seng, 
who were natives of Germany and came to this country at a very 
early period. Louis worked on the farm until he was twenty-one 
years old and then worked at teaming one year, and then clerked 
for three years, and in 1880 entered into partnership with J. 
Lehrburger & Co., continuing with them until 1882 when he 
commenced his present business. He has been very successful 
and has a good trade. April 13, 1883, his marriage with Annie 
Bacher was solemnized. They became the parents of one child, 
Joseph L. Mr. Seng is a Catholic and his wife is a member of 
the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat and is well educated in 
the common school branches. 

AUGUST SONDERMANN, of the firm of Sermersheim & 
Co., dealers in general merchandise at Jasper, Ind., was born 
March 19, 1836, and is one of four children bom to Anton and 
Josepha Sondermann, natives of Germany, where the father died 
in 1839. The mother married again and came to the United 
States, locating in Ferdinand, Dubois Co., Ind., about 1875, 
where she died in 1880. August was raised in Germany and 
farmed there until 1854 when he came to the United States, and 
farmed with an uncle two years and then began clerking in a store 
in Ferdinand, where he remained six years. In 1863 he came to 
Jasper and engaged in the brewery business with his father-in- 
law, and three years later he began clerking for him in the gen- 
eral merchandise business. Since the death of his father-in-law 
in 1876, he has conducted the business in connection with his 
mother-in-law. They have an excellent stock of goods and are 
doing a thriving business. In 1863 he married Maria Sermer- 
sheim, who died in 1873, leaving two children: Albert and Joseph- 
ine. Mr. Sondermann is a Democrat and a member of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

LEO F. SPA YD, dealer in tin, hardware, stoves, etc., estab- 
lished his business in Celestine, Ind., in 1876, and removed from 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 615 

there to Jasper in 1880. He carries a stock of $2,000 and does 
an annual business of |3,500. He was born in Spencer County, 
this State, March 7, 1850, and is the eldest in a family of ten 
children born to Michael and Mary Spayd, who were natives of 
France and Germany, respectively. Leo F. remained at home 
until he attained his majority. He then began learning the tin- 
ner's trade of Frank Semmiger, of Ferdinand, with whom he re- 
mained about two and a half years, and in 1876 embarked in 
business for himself as above stated ; at which he has been very 
successful. In January, 1875, he married Catharine Giehl, by 
whom he is the father of five children, these four now living: 
Rosa, Tilly, Albert and Clara. He and family are members of 
the Catholic Church, and in politics he has always been a Demo- 
crat, and has held the ofl&ce of postmaster at Celestine. 

EDWARD STEPHENSON, a prominent citizen of Jasper, 
Ind., was born January 7, 1823, and is the eldest of seven chil- 
dren born to David and Catherine (Dickerson) Stephenson, who 
were natives of Marj^and and Alabama, respectively. Edward 
remained at home with his parents until he attained the age of 
twenty years. He was educated in the common schools of the. 
county, and also attended the Corydon Saminary for some time. ' 
In 1841 he began studying medicine with A. M. Jones, of Cory- 
don, Ind., with whom he remained until 1843, when he removed 
to Crawford County and embarked in the practice of medicine for 
himself. In 1845 he came to Dubois County, of which he has 
been a resident ever since. In 1847 he gave up practicing his 
profession on account of poor health, and entered the county 
clerk's office as deputy, serving there until January, 1850. April 
18, 1850, his marriage with Missouri Edmonston was solenmized ; 
to them were born ten children, only three of whom survive: Theo- 
dore, Edward E. and Solon. After marriage he again resumed 
his profession, but in 1860 he agai4 abandoned it and removed 
to a farm northeast of Jasper where he remained until 1873, and 
then returned to Jasper where he has since resided. His wife 
died December 14, 1872. In politics he has always been an un- 
compromising Democrat; he was honored by an election to the 
office of county treasurer five terms. His name was very prom- 
inently mentioned in the papers throughout the State at one time 
as State treasurer. In 1853 he was commissioned treasurer of 
the Indiana Swamp Land Fund, by Gov. Joseph A. Wright. 

JOHN STOUT, junior member of the firm of Johi) Gramels- 
pacher & Co., was born in Harrison County, Ind., April 11, 
1851, son of Jacob and Louisa (Helman) Stout. At the age of 
seventeen he left his home aod went to Louisville, Ky., to learn 
the carpentering trade. He remained there two years, having mas- 
tered the trade in that time. He started South and located first 



616 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

in Nashville. Tenn., where he remained nine months, and then re- 
turned to Louisville for one year, going thence to his native 
county, and afterward lived three years in Indianapolis, Ind., 
thence to Louisville; thence to Cloverport, and finally settled in 
Jasper where he has since lived. In 1881 he entered into part- 
nership with Mr. Gramelspacher, and since that time has con- 
tinued in the lumber trade. June 23, 1885, he married Eliza- 
beth Sang. They are members of the Catholic Church, and he is 
a Democrat, but votes for the best man irrespective of party. 

ANDKEW M. SWEENEY, superintendent of schools of Du- 
bois County, Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 26, 
1853, being one of a family of nine children born to Michael and 
Harriet (Reade) Sweeney, natives of Ireland. Ip 1850 the father 
came to the United States and located in Cincinnati where he 
was employed as railroad contractor, and where he still resides. 
He has been engaged in the same business in Indiana, Illinois, 
Kentucky and Ohio, ever since coming to America. Andrew M. 
was raised in Cincinnati, and when ten years old began working 
for his father on the railroad, continuing with him until fifteen 
years old when he began attending school in Teutopolis 111., then 
attended St. Meinrad's College in Spencer County, Ind. When 
about nineteen years old he began teaching the "young idea" in 
Dubois County, and the following year accepted a position as 
principal of the Jasper schools, working in this capacity for 
about eight years. August 5, 1878, he married Helen Kuebler 
a native of Jasper, the result of this union being four children, 
two now living: Robert K. and Clarence C. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 
Since April 4, 1883, Mr. Sweeney has been president of the South- 
ern Indiana Teachers Association. 

WILLIAM A. TRAYLOR, attorney at law, of Jasper, Ind., 
was born February 5, 1843, son of Jesse Traylor and Jraie Mc- 
Donald, natives of Pike and Dubois Counties. The father who 
was of English descent, came to this county about 1844, and set- 
tled near Portersville, on a farm, where he has since resided. 
William A. was raised on a farm in this county, and received a 
fair education in his boyhood. He prepared himself for a teacher 
under a private tutor, and followed this profession for six years. 
He studied law meanwhile under Adams & Buettner, and Maj. 
Carr, of Jasper, for a number of years, and then attended the 
law school of the State University, at Bloomington, from 18(57 
to 18()8, graduating from there the latter year. March, 1807, he 
opened a law office in Jasper, where he practiced, and then en- 
tered into partnership with W. S. Hunter. They are among the 
leading practitioners of the county. From 1878 to 1882 he was 
a member of the State Senate, and was elected without an oppos- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 617 

iiig candidate. He is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. 
F. May 7, 1873, he married Flora E. Hobbs, native of Indiana, 
the result of this union being six chiklren — two sons and four 
daughters. 

TOLIVER WERTZ, M. D., of Jasper, Ind., was born in 
Pennsylvania, April 14, 1838, being the youngest of seven chil- 
dren born to Henry Wertz and Sarah Ann Abrahams, natives of 
Pennsylvania and England, respectively. They made their home 
in Pennsylvania, where they passed their lives. Our subject was 
raised on a farm in his native State, receiving a good literary ed- 
ucation, completing an academic course. He followed the occu- 
pation of farming until he was twenty-five years old, and taught 
school one year, when he began the study of medicine, attending 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1864-05. He 
then came to Warrick County, Ind., where he practiced at Boon- 
ville, until 1871, and then came to Jasper, where he has been en- 
gaged in attending to a reasonably large and remunerative prac- 
tice. In 1878 he returned to the above named medical college, 
and received a diploma from there in 1879. He is a Mason, and, 
although not a member of any church, was raised in the Protes- 
tant faith. 

JACOB WILHOIT, a prominent citizen of Bainbridge 
Township, Dubois County, Ind., was born in Woodford County, 
Ky., May 29, 1834, and is the fourth in a family of six children 
born to Abram and Frances (Mosby) Wilhoit, who were born in 
Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. They came to this State 
and county in 1838. and settled on the farm where our subject 
now lives. At that time the country was a complete wilderness 
of woods. Jacob's father preceded them here, and made ar- 
rangements for their removal. He then returned to Kentucky 
for them, but sickened and died there a short time afterward. 
Jacob always lived at home with his mother, assisting her all he 
could. He received a very limited education, owing to the poor 
facilities of that day. His mother died September 10,' 1883. 
April 29, 18()3, he married Amelia A. Thomas, and they became 
the parents of one child, John L., who died September 11, 1872. 
He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Churcli, and he is a Democrat. He has succeeded well as a 
farmer, and now owns 17^) acres of excellent land. 

MICHAEL WILSON, a prominent and well-known citizen 
of Jasper, Ind., is a native of Northumberland, England, born 
October 3, 1834, and is the elder of tAvo children born to Anthony 
and Ann (Pratt) Wilson. Our subject lived in England until he 
was sixteen years old, and received a limited education. His 
mother died when he was three years old, and, in 1850, he came 
with his father and family to the United States, landing at New 



618 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

York, and soon after went to Hawesville, Ky., where they re- 
mained six years. During this time he made a prospecting trip 
with his uncle to the Cumberland Mountains, and afterward 
moved across the Ohio River, to Cannelton, Ind., where he lived 
until 186(), when he came to this county, where he has ever since 
lived. He immediately opened a coal mine, the first in the county, 
and has been engaged in that business ever since. November 1, 
1S()2, he married Elizabeth Chilton, by whom he is the father of 
four children: George K, William A., Margaret A., and Thomas 
B. Success has attended his efPorts in the development of the 
coal industries of the county. He recently disposed of his mine, 
and is now drilling for another. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat, and was 
elected to the office of county surveyor. 



PATOKA TOWNSHIP. 



FREDERICK ARENSMANN, one of the proprietors of the 
Huntingburgh Planing-mill, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 
1818, and came to the United States in 1842, and located in 
Huntingburgh, Ind., where he worked for Col. Jacob Geiger, on 
the farm and in the mill, three or four years. He then purchased 
a farm near Huntingburgh, where he lived about fifteen years. 
At the breaking out of the war he bought a grist-mill, which he 
operated nearly three years, then engaged in general merchandise, 
and also ran the Huntingburgh woolen-mills a year or two. He 
then retired from active work until about 1870, when he bought 
an interest in his present business, in which he has remained ever 
since. He has been very successful in business affairs, and now 
has a comfortable competency. Just before leaving his native 
country, he married Mary Engel. They are the parents of seven 
children: Mary, Anna, Henry, Elizabeth, Caroline, Matilda, and 
Daniel. Mr. Arensmann is a Republican in politics, and he and 
family are members of the Evangelical Association. 

VALENTINE BAMBERGER, manufacturer and dealer in 
boots and shoes at Huntingburgh, Ind., was born in Dubois 
County, January 22, 1850, son of Peter and Catherine (Frick) 
Bamberger, natives of Germany. The father came to the United 
States about 1850, and located on a farm in Dubois County, where 
he lived until 1881, when he retired from business, and now re- 
sides in Huntingburgh. The mother died in 1863. Our subject 
received a good German and English education, and lived on the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



619 



farm until he was fifteen years old, when lie began learning the 
shoe-maker's trade of Frederick Hildebrand, staying with him 
about four years. He then worked at his trade in various places, 
and in 1872 engaged in his present business for himself. He 
carries a fine line of goods, and has met with the best of success. 
In 1872 he married Wilhelmina Hildebrand. They have five 
children living: John Louis, Anna Johanna, Clara Kathrina, 
Philip Leo, and Emma Amelia. Mr. Bamberger is a Democrat, 
and a member of the town council. He and wife are members of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

PHILIP BAMBEEGEK, dealer in stoves and tinware at 
Huntingburgh, Ind., and native of the county, was born March 
4, 1855, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Prick) Bamberger. 
(See sketch of Val. Bamberger.) His boyhood was passed on 
the farm, and while there he received but a limited education, 
but by contact with business life he has overcome this deficiency. 
At the age of fifteen years he began learning the tinner's trade 
at Eockport, Ind., remaining there nearly three years. He re- 
turned home in 1874 and worked at his trade in Huntingburgh 
until 1881, and then worked in Boonville one year, and in 1882 
returned to Huntingburgh, where he has remained ever since, and 
doing well financially. August 13, 1876, he married Joanna Hil- 
debrand, daughter of Fred Hildebrand, whose sketch appears in 
this work. They have three children: Edward T., Emma W. 
and Charles P. He is a Democrat in politics and he and wife are 
members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

LOUIS BEHEENS, son of Herman Behrens and Phillipina 
Lieber, both natives of Germany, was born February 24, 1853, 
in Huntingburgh, Ind. The father came here when a young man, 
about 1828 or 1830. He was engaged for some time in the mer- 
chandise business, together with pork-packing, cattle trading and 
farming. He was noted for his generosity throughout the county. 
He died in 1862. Louis worked on his father's farm until he was 
eighteen, when he learned the wagon-maker's trade, and in 1874 
began manufacturing wagons and buggies in Huntingburgh, in 
connection with his brother Jacob. In 1877 Jacob died, and be 
tween 1876 and 1881 his brothers Frank and Frederick were with 
him as partners. In 1882 they commenced selling agricultural 
implements and are now meeting with the best of success. 
Louis married Eliza Miller in 1877. They have had four chil- 
dren: Nora P., Sophia Kate, John H. (deceased) and Walter 
John. Mr. Behrens is a faithful Democrat and he and wife are 
members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

GAEEETT B. BLACK WELL, M. D., of Huntingburgh, Ind., 
born August 23, 1855, is a son of Joshua D. and Samantha Jane 
(Helton) Blackwell, natives of Indiana. The family have re- 



620 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

sided in Monroe County, Ind., for over thirty years. Our subject 
received an ordinary literary education in his boyhood days, and 
at the age of seventeen years was apprenticed to a carpenter in 
the neighborhood, but discontinued the work after one year and 
began the study of medicine at home, which he continued till 
twenty-one years old and then began studying under a preceptor, 
continuing about two years. He then removed to Arkansas, and 
in a short time after to Illinois, where he practiced six months. 
In 1880 he returned to Indiana and located in' Gibson County, 
where he practiced two years, attending lectures at the Medical 
Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1881. In 1882 he came to Hun- 
tingburgh, where he has since resided. In 1884 he returned to 
the Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from which he received a di- 
ploma June 2, 1885. January 25, 1881, he was united in mar- 
riage to Flora B. Martin, and by her has two children: Edith 
Beatrice and Garrett Eugene. In politics the Doctor is a Demo- 
crat, and a member of the Indiana Eclectic Medical Association, 
and an able and successful physician. 

EENST JACOB BLEMKER, Huntingburgh, Ind., was born 
in Prussia, July 4, 1829, and is an only child of Jacob W. Blem- 
ker, a native of Germany. The mother died in 1830 and the 
father immigrated to the United States in 1836, locating in Lex- 
ington, Ky., and in 1848 came to Dubois County, Ind., where he 
resided a number of years. He now resides near Huntingburgh, 
having married Mary Ann (Geiger) Dunn. After his mother's 
death, our subject was raised by an uncle and received a fair ed- 
ucation in German. At the age of fifteen he came to the United 
States and lived on a farm near Lexington, Ky., until he was 
eighteen years old when he came to Dubois County and learned 
grist milling at which he worked four years. He then learned 
the tanner's trade of Andrew Kaiser and has followed that busi- 
ness ever since. He owns a good farm of 200 acres near town 
and is doing well financially. In 1853 he married Sophia Bre- 
mer. They have four children living: Henry J., Ernst W., 
Daniel G. and Lydia K. Mr. Blemker is a stanch Republican and 
has served three terms as township trustee. He has been a mem- 
ber of the town coimcil five or six years. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church. 

ISAAC BEELER, M. D. (deceased), one of the' early physi- 
cians of Huntingburgh, Ind,, was born near Dayton, Ohio, Octo- 
ber 14,1828, and was raised on a farm in his native State, receiv- 
ing a good education. Early in life he began the study of medi- 
cine, and later graduated from the medical institution of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. In 1851 he came to Huntingburgh, and soon acquired 
the leading practice in the county, and was well and favorably 
known as a competent physician and excellent citizen. He was a 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. o21 

member o£ the Ohristian Church and a Republican in politics and 
an active worker for his party. December 3, 1846, he married a 
Miss Hughes, who died leaving one child, a daughter ; January 4;, 
1863, he married Mary Robertson, a native of Spencer County, 
who still survives him. They were the parents of jBve children : 
Elmer E., who is a young man preparing for the medical profes- 
sion, Alvin, George, Sarah E., and Nancy. 

JOHN HERMAN HENRY BORMANN, farmer of Dubois 
County, Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany, April 10, 1822, a 
son of Henry and Margaret A. (Rathje) Bormann, who remained 
in their native country until our subject was thirteen years old,.- 
when they immigrated to the United States and located in Pitts- 
burgh where the father worked for a few years. They then came 
to Dubois County, Ind., and located on a farm where they passed" 
the remainder of their lives. The father died October 24, 1847, 
and the mother August 20, 1847. Henry remained at home un- 
til twenty-four years of age, when he worked at teaming and 
gardening for about two years. In 1848 he bought the farm of 
eighty acres where he now lives, and which he has since increased 
to 120 acres. November 22, 1849, he married Katharine Beamer» 
native of Hanover, Germany, born 1832. They have two chil- 
dred: William and Mary. He and wife are members of the 
Lutheran Church and he is a Democrat in politics. 

LEONARD BRETZ, a prominent early settler of Dubois 
County, was born February 28, 1829, in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, and is one of six children born to Jacob and Barbara 
(Bausman) Bretz. The father, a. farmer in the old country, im- 
migated to the United States vdth his family in 1837 and engaged 
in like pursuits five miles east of the present town of Hunting- 
burgh, Ind. He remained there until his death in 1878 followed 
by his widow two years later, both having been members of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Reformed Church. Leonard passed his 
youth and early manhood at the old home farm, securing only 
such education as the limited facilities of that day afforded. 
When seventeen years old he wyent to Louisville, Ky., where he 
clerked four years in a hardware store. In 1851 he embarked in 
general merchandising in Hunting burgh, and has since continued 
here with more than ordinary success. Mr. Bretz, besides hav- 
ing made life a financial success, has justly won what is far bet- 
ter — an honored name and a record untarnished by dishonesty or 
otherwise. The same year of his embarking in business in Hunt- 
ingburgh, Barbara Gerhard, a native of Bavaria, became his wife, 
and they are the parents of eight living children: Anna B., Wilhel- 
mina F., Emeline, William L., Gustav C, Walter F., Matilda S. 
and John Henry. Mr. Bretz is a Democrat, and although by no 
means an office seeker he takes an active interest in public affairs- 



622 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

and is jury commissioner for Dubois County. He and family be- 
long to the Lutheran Reformed Church. 

JACOB G. CATO, one of the oldest native pioneers of the 
county, was born March 2, 1838 ; his parents were Green Cato and 
Rhoda Alley, natives of the "Old Dominion" and Tennessee, re- 
spectively. The father grew to manhood in his native State, and 
removed to Tennessee, where he was married and where his wife 
died; he was married again in that State and moved to Indiana, 
and located on a farm near Huntingburgh ; he lived in various 
places in the county until 1860, when he removed to Pike County, 
where he died November 31, 1877. The mother died on the 
same day, three years later. Jacob received his education from 
the primitive log schoolhouse of early times; he remained a^ 
home until attaining his majority, with the exception of three 
years, when he lived with Dr. Hughes. July 1, 1859, he married 
Lauretha Shively ; after marriage he moved to Spencer County, 
where he lived four years. In 1864 he returned to this county 
and located on the farm where he has since resided ; he has 125 
acres of good land. They have seven children: Anna, Mary E., 
Jacob B., Emma J., William W., Benjamin F. and Lulu B. Mr. 
Cato and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a 
Democrat, having held the office of assessor five years. 

HERMAN DIECKMANN, undertaker and carpenter, of 
Huntingburgh, Ind., began working at the undertaking business 
about 1873; he has a fine line of goods and everything necessary 
for carrying on a successful business; his native country is Ger- 
many, where he was born December, 1834; he is a son of Henry 
Dieckmann (see sketch of Gerhard Dieckmann) ; he remained in 
the old country until seventeen years old, and then removed with 
his parents to the United States, when he learned the carpenter's 
trade and worked in Louisville, Ky., until 1854, when he came 
to Huntingburgh ; he has since worked at his trade with the 
exception of the time spent in the army. September 26, 1864, 
he was drafted for service and^ was enrolled in Company K., 
Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteers; he was with Sherman on his 
famous march to the sea, and through the Carolinas. November 
13, 1856, he was married to Josepha Neumann, who died in 1874, 
having borne him eight children, six now living: Matilda, 
Amelia, John, Earnest, Elnora and Amelia. In 1877 he married 
Hannah Anthony, by whopa he is the father of four children: 
Rosa, Wilhelmina, Frank and Theodore; he is a Democrat and 
member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a Catholic. 

GERHARDT DIECKMANN, manufacturer and dealer in 
boots and shoes, Huntingburgh, Ind., began business in July, 
1855, in a frame building on First Street, where he remained 
about one year; he then built a brick building on Third Street, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. fi23 

where he conducted his business until about 1804, when he bought 
a two-story brick building adjacent to his present location. This 
was the first brick building erected in the town. In 187(3 he tore 
it down and erected the large two-story building where he is now 
doing business; he carries a good stock of ready-made goods in 
addition to those manufactured by himself. Mr. Dieckmann was 
born in Oldenburg, Germany, in May, 1830, being the eldest of a 
family of two sons and two daughters, born to the marriage of 
Henry Dieckmann and Kate Stumberg, also natives of Germany, 
The father, who was a carpenter, followed his trade in his native 
country until 1851, when he came to the United States with his 
family and located in Louisville, where he remained only a short 
time; he then came to Huntingburgh, where he has since resided; 
he is now in his eighty-second year. Gerhardt was reared at 
home receiving a good education in his native country. At the 
age of fifteen he began to learn the shoe-maker's trade, serving 
an apprenticeship of six years ; he then came to the United States 
with his parents, and engaged in business as before stated. In 
March, 1855, he was united in marriage with Alvina Spitzer, who 
died in December of the next year. He was again married, in 
June, 1857, to Margaret Bormann, by whom he is the father of 
ten children, of whom Charles, Henry, John, William, Rena Wil- 
helmina, Amelia and Sophia are living. 

HENRY DUFENDACH, a prominent merchant of Hunting- 
burgh, Ind., and native of Dubois County, born October 22, 
1841, is one of eight children born to Christopher and Mary 
Elizabeth (Wessler) Dufendach, natives of Germany. They 
married in the old country, and came to the United States, set- 
tling in Dubois County, Ind., where the father followed the life 
of a farmer. At the breaking out of the war, he bought the 
Union Grist-mill, in company with another man, and operated it 
successfully for two or three years, and then sold his interest. 
The mother died in May, 1872. Henry, our subject, was raised 
on a farm, receiving little or no education in his boyhood, but 
has since acquired a good, practical education by his attendance 
at Sunday-school, and l3y his own untiring efforts. At the age of 
fifteen he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade in Hunting- 
burgh, but after working at it nearly three years, abandoned 
that business and clerked for some time in a store, and afterward 
worked in his father's mill about three years. He then en- 
gaged in the general merchandise business with Ernst Pickhardt, 
and continued in this about three years, when he sold out to his 
partner and engaged in the same occupation for himself on a 
small scale. His business increased so rapidly that he built a 
irge brick warehouse, and the following year built his present 
dwelling house. In 1883 he erected his commodious brick 



624 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

block, and has since carried on his business with marked suc- 
cess. In 1873 he bought a warehouse and began buying and 
selling leaf tobacco, and now handles nearly 50( ),()()() pounds 
annually. His tobacco house is a two-story frame building, 
35x85 feet in dimensions, with a large shed addition. Since 
1870, he has engaged quite extensively in pork-packing, handling 
from 500 to 1,200 hogs per year. February 23, 1802, he mar- 
ried Johanna Boehmer, who died June 20, 1872, leaving three 
children, two now living: Ernst C. and Franklin H. April 20, 
1873, he married Mary Schroeder, a iiative of Ohio. To them 
were born four children, three now living: Norman C. W., Cora 
v., and Cornelia A. Mr. Dufendach and family are members of 
the Evangelical Association, and he is recognized as a successful 
and enterprising business man and a worthy citizen. 

CHRISTOPHER W. DUFENDACH, merchant, of Hunting- 
burgh, Ind., was born November 23, 18-15, son of Cliristoi)her 
H. and Catharine E. Dufendach ( see sketch of Henry Dufendach ) . 
Our subject was raised on a farm in this county and received a 
fair German and English education. At the age of nineteen he 
enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indi- 
ana Volunteers, from Evansville, Ind., where he was clerking in a 
store. He served his time of enlistment, 100 days, and again 
clerked in Evansville until 1807, when he came to Huntingburgh 
and engaged in the general merchandise business with his 
brother Henry. At the end of four years they began working at 
photography, continuing two or three years. He then bought 
out H. Bemer's merchandise store and run it until 1870, when he 
and Jonas Killian built their present large brick block, and 
continued in the same business. In 1881 he bought Mr. Kil- 
lian's interest, and has conducted the business alone ever since, 
meeting with th*e best of success. In 18()0 he married Sarah A. 
Fisher. They are the parents of five children: Edward H., David 
C, Nellie A., Alfred Bismark and Charles L. He is a Republi- 
can, and has been town clerk a number of times. 

CAPT. MORMAN FISHER, Huntingburgh" s efficient post- 
master, was born in Dubois County, Ind., on Christmas day, 1833. 
William Fisher, his father, was born in Ohio Aug. 0, 1791, and 
when a youth moved with his parents to Kentucky. He partici- 
pated in the Indian war of 1812. In 1817 he settled on a farm 
five miles southeast of the present site of Huntingburgh. but five 
years later moved to Vermillion County, this State, where he re- 
sided a year. From that time until his death his home was in 
Patoka Township, this county. He was very fond of hunting, 
and many deer, bear and other wild game were killed by him in 
this county. He was twice married; first to Sarah Goodall, 
who died in 1825 after bearing a large family of children, four of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 625 

whom yet live. In 1832 he wedded Mary Whitten, our subject's 
mother, who, with five children, yet survive him. Merman 
Fisher, the immediate subject of this sketch, secured a limited 
education in youth from the primitive schools of his boyhood 
days. He was engaged in farming until 1860, and from that time 
to 1863 was engaged in photography at Huntingburgh, looking 
after his farm and filling the office of justice of the peace. In 
the latter year he organized Company M, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, 
of which he served as captain until the close of the war. Return- 
ing home he resumed the management of his farm, although liv- 
ing at Huntingburgh, and being admitted to tlie bar of Dubois 
County, has turned considerable of his attention to the legal pro- 
fession. Since the war he has served twelve years as trustee of 
Patoka Township and two terms in the lower house of the State 
Legislature. In politics he is Democratic and is a member of 
the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities. In 1856 he married Mary 
A. Wade, who bore him two children, only one — James Lewis — 
now living. The wife died^ June '27, 1859, and December 14, 
1865, Capt. Fisher wedded Wilhelmina Helfrich, granddaughter 
of Jacob Geiger, the founder of Huntingburgh. To this marriage 
four sons and one daughter, all living, have been born. Capt. 
Fisher is one of the county's most honored and respected citi- 
zens. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster by President Cleve- 
land. 

THOMAS R. GREEN, postmaster and railroad agent at 
Duff, Ind., is a native of Dubois County, born May 6, 1845. He 
is the eldest of nine children in the family of Robert and Melissa 
A. (Miller) Green, also natives of the county, The paternal 
grandfather came to Indiana from New York at a very early 
day, and located near Ireland, in this county. He later removed 
to Jasper, where Robert Green was born and lived until seven 
years old. The family then returned to the home farm and 
Robert, after his marriage, lived on a farm in the south part of 
Madison Township until the breaking out of the war, when he 
enlisted in Company E, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
in September, 1861, and the following May died in a hospital 
boat on the Ohio River. The widow is still living at Ireland. 
She was born November 7, 1825, and is a daughter of Adam 
Miller, one of the first settlers of the county. Thomas R. was 
reared at home, receiving a common school ediication. He re- 
mained at home until February 7, 1864, when he was enrolled 
for service in Company G, Forty-second Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, with which he served until June 11, 1865. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, the battles 
before Atlanta and the siege of that city. After his return from 
the war he was engaged in teaching school for eight years. 



626 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

He then removed to Illinois, where he remained for one year, 
after which he returned to this county and was engaged in 
farming for a few years. In September, 1881, he came to Duff 
and opened a general merchandise store, which he conducted 
until the spring of 1885. In October, 1881, he was commis- 
sioned as postmaster, and the next year was appointed agent for 
the L. E. & St. L. E. E. at Duff, both of which positions he 
still holds. October 14, 1871, he was joined in marriage with 
Anna Hill, who died March 26, 1878, leaving two children: Al- 
vah E. and Nellie. He chose for his second wife, M. M. Miller, 
to whom he was married October 10, 1883. Mr. Green is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, and for many years was a local 
preacher. 

JOSEPH HEITZ, county commissioner of Dubois County, 
was born in Germany July 14, 1824, son of Lawrence and Kath- 
arine (Keen) Heitz. They came to America, landing at New 
Orleans in 1832. The mother died of that terrible disease, chol- 
era, and a short time after the father died of the same disease. 
The eldest of the children was only eleven years old. The two 
youngest were placed in the orphan asylum at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and the eldest, a girl, went to work for a family in that city. 
Our subject was cared for by a cousin, with whom he lived about 
seven years. At the age of fifteen he went to live with his eldest 
sister, who had married and was living in Kentucky. He re- 
mained there about a year, working in a printing office ; later he 
clerked in a drug store and then came to Dubois County, Ind., 
with his brother-in-law, with whom he stayed until of age. He 
then bought a farm in Patoka Township. At the end of four 
years he sold out and bought the farm where he now lives. He 
owns 280 acres pf good land, well improved. In 1850 he mar- 
ried Katherine Eouscher. To them were born twelve children, 
seven now living: Lawrence, Kate, Daniel, George, Louis, Tracy 
and Mary. Both husband and wife are members of St. Mary's 
Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a highly respected 
and influential citizen. 

JOHN HEEMAN HEITMANN, farmer, was born in Han- 
over, Germany, October 18, 1834, son of Henry Heitmann and 
Mary A. Kuhlhoff, natives of the same place. The parents im- 
migrated to this country in 1846, locating in Dubois County, 
Ind., on the farm where our subject now lives. The father died 
in January, 1863. The mother still lives with her son at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-three years. John H. received his educa- 
tion in his native country and attended school here about three 
months. He has since obtained a good education in the English 
language by his own efforts. He has had control of his father's 
farm since quite a small boy, and has now 320 acres of good 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 62T 

land, well improved and with good buildings. He gives especial 
attention to stock raising, aUd is doing well financially. In No- 
vember, 1862, he married Katharine Behrens. To them have 
been born nine children. These are living: Anna, Mary, Eliza- 
beth, Louis, Herman and Frank. Both husband and wife are- 
members of tlie Lutheran Church, and he is -a Democrat. 

JOHN F. HEMMEE was born August 20, 1847, son of John 
F. and Fredrica Hemmer, natives of Germany, from which coun- 
try they came to the United States in 1842, and located in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and then came to Dubois County, Ind., and bought 
them a farm. The father's death occurred in 1860 and the 
mother's in 1882. John F. received a fair education in his boy- 
hood and remained at home with his mother working on the farm 
until he attained his majority. He learned the carpenter's trade 
and worked at it eleven years, having built during that time 322 
barns and numerous smaller buildings. In 1879 he purchased 
the farm of 160 acres where he now lives. He was married, in 
1874, to Mary Katterjohn, born January 28, 1848. Four children 
have been born to their union: Anila Matilda, Benjamin, William 
K. and Frederick J. Mr. Hemmer is a member of the Metho/dist 
Church and a warm Eepublican. 

FEEDEEICK HILDEBEAND, dealer in and manufacturer 
of boots and shoes, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 19, 1823. 
The parents, Charles and Wilhelmina (StVohrman) Hildebrand, 
were natives of the same country and came to America in 1854 
and located first in Louisville, Ky., and afterward came to Hunt- 
ingburgh, Ind., and worked at the shoe-maker's trade until he be- 
came disabled by sickness and old age, and died at the home of 
our subject in 1872. The mother died in 1870. Frederick was 
raised in Hanover, where he received a good German education. 
At the age of fifteen he began learning his father's trade and 
worked at it until 1851, when he came to the United States and 
worked two years in Louisville, Ky., and then came to Hunting- 
burgh, where he has lived ever since, engaged in his present 
business, and meeting with good success. In 1853 he married 
Mary Borman, a native of Hanover, who died in 1878, leaving- 
eight children: Wilhelmina, Joanna, Louis, Emma, Henry, 
Gustav, Leonard and George. For his second wife he married 
Wilhelmina Kruse, in March, 1883. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Hildebrand is one of the old pioneers of Dubois 
County, and bears the reputation of being an honestand indus- 
trious citizen. 

BEENAED HOFFHAUS, son of John T. and Katharine 
(Sloeter) HofPhaus, born January 28, 1826, is a native of Ger- 
many, from whence his parents immigrated in 1846. They lo- 



628 HISTORY OP DUBOIS COUNTY. 

cated in Dubois County, where Bernard bought a farm and 
where the father and mother died. In 1858 our subject pur- 
chased a farm of 240 acres upon which he has since resided. It 
has good buildings and is well improved. In 1868 he built a 
saw-mill, in partnership with Conrad Hoeuner, which they ran 
with good success until 1884. He was married to Mary Meyers, 
June, 1848. To this union were born eleven children — seven of 
whom are living: John, Fred, Eliza, William, Conrad, Matilda 
and Herman. Mr. Hoffhaus is a Democrat, and he and wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church. He has been quite success- 
ful in business affairs. Starting with little or no capital, he has 
now a comfortable competency. 

MICHAEL JANDEBEUR, one of the oldest pioneers of the 
county was born in Aschaffenburg Baiern, Germany, April 18, 
1826, He is the fourth son in a family of seven sons and two 
daughters, born to the marriage of Michael Jandebeur and Eva 
Schwabin, natives of France and Germany, respectively. The 
paternal grandfather was a man of large wealth, owning a fine 
estate near Paris. During the French Revolution, he belonged 
to the Royalist party, and in 1796, when Napoleon became the 
head of the Government, his property was confiscated and he fled 
as a refugee to Germany, where he died. His son, the father of 
our subject, was a small boy when they removed to Germany. 
He grew to manhood in that country ; was married and during 
the latter part of his life was the proprietor of a hat manufactory. 
IJe died about 1875, at the age of over one hundred years. The 
mdther preceded him about four years, at the age of eighty- 
seven. Several members of the family have shown remarkable 
ability ; a brother of Michael was prime minister in the kingdom 
of Baiern, and -was the author of numerous works on law. 
Michael, at the age of thirteen, began to learn the tinner's trade, 
at which he worked until 1847, when he entered the army, serv- 
ing for a term of four years, which period included the Rebellion 
of 1848. After leaving the army he went to France, where he 
worked at his trade. For about two years he was also on the 
police force in Paris, In 1854 he came to the United States, and 
for the first five months after his arrival was employed as a cook 
at Delmonico's restaurant. He then worked at his trade in New 
York and Philadelphia for several months after which he jour- 
neyed on foot through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, traveling 
over 1,200 miles. He at last located at Huntingburgh, Ind., 
where he conducted a shop for about twenty years. He is now 
living on a farm of eighty acres and raises a large amount of 
fruit, especially grapes, from which he makes an excellent article 
of wine, January 8, 1857, he was united in marriage with Mary 
B. Bockstahler, a native of Baden, Germany, They have eight 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 631 

children, only seven of whom are living. They are Martha, 
Julius, Coni-ful, Daniel, Jeannette, Lena and Caroline. At the 
breaking out of the war he enlisted as a musician in the band of 
the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he 
served about one year when he become disabled through disease. 
His career taken altogether has been a remarkable one. 

HENEY W. KATTERJOHN, of the firm Schroer & Katter- 
john, dealers in general merchandise, Huntingburgh, Ind., is a 
son of Henry A. and Sophia (Elsliof ) Katterjohii. He was born 
July 12, 185f), in Pike County, and is the eldest of four children 
(for parents' sketch see history of Pike County). Our subject 
was raised on the farm and received a good education in the com- 
mon branches. He followed farming as an occupation until 1884, 
when he engaged in his present business in Huntingburgh, and 
has met with good success. The firm are doing a fairly large 
and remunerative business, and have a good and select stock of 
goods. Mr. Katterjohn's political views are Republican, and he 
is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and is 
among the rising business men of Huntingburgh. 

FREDERICK WILLIAM KATTERHENRY, senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Katterhenry Bros, of Huntingburgh, Ind., and 
native of Dubois County, was born December 5, 1843, and is one 
of the four children born to Louis and Christina (Nueneker) 
Katterhenry. The children's names are Henry L., Frederick W., 
John W., and Louis, who is the junior member of the firm. The 
parents, who were natives of Prussia, came to this country in 
1840 and located on a farm near Huntingburgh when the father 
died in 18()7 and the mother in 1880. Our subject received his 
education in the district schools near his home, and at the age of 
twenty he left home and teamed for one year in Huntingburgh, 
and then engaged, on a small scale, in the general merchandise 
business with Herman Behmer as partner. In 1869 he sold his 
interest in the business and engaged in grist-milling, building 
the Star Grist-mills here. In 1875 he quit this business, and he 
and his brother built their present large brick building and en- 
gaged in general merchandise. They have a very fine stock of 
goods and are doing a paying business. In connection with their 
store they have a large pork packing establishment and also a 
grain warehouse near the depot. In 1865 he married Sophia 
Reutepohler. To them were born three children: Eli E., Edward 
H. and Oliver W. In politics he is a Republican, and he and 
wife are members of the Evangelical Association. 

LOUIS KATTERHENRY, brother of Frederick W., was 
born December 8. 1850, was raised on the farm, and received an 
ordinary education in both English and German. At the age of 
nineteen, he began teaching school in the county, continuing in 



632 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

this l)usiiiesf^ two years, when he boiiglit an interest in the 
Star Grist-mill and then enoraged in his present business with 
his brother. In 187;^, lie married Eliza Meyer, native of I>iibois 
County. Tlifey have five children: Benjamin Franklin, Lillie 
C. Artlinr T.. Nellie A. and David. Mr. Katterhenry is a Re- 
jmblican, and he and wii'^ are members oi' the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation. 

JOHN W. KATTERHENRY s(m of Henry and Christina 
(Nnnneker) Katterhenry Avas born A])ril S. 1848. His 
parents were natives of Germany. The father immigrated 
to this country Avhen a young man, locating for some time 
in Cincinnati, and afterward came to Dubois County, Ind., 
and bought the farm, where he lived until his death March 
12 1807. John AV. received his education from the primitive 
schools of his day. and remained at home working on the 
farm until 1871, when he assumed control and bought out 
the interest of the others. He has now 240 acres of excellent 
land well cultivated. October 19, 1871, he was married to Sarah 
Koch, by whom he is the father of six children: Lydia. Emma, 
Frank, Amelia, Nettie and Walter. Both husband and wife are 
members of the Evangelical Church. He is a Republican in 
politics and a well known and respected citizen of the county. 

FREDERICK B. KATTERHENRY, junior member of the 
firm of Katterhenry & Son, merchants of Huntingburgh, Ind., 
was born January 1, 1858, and is a son of Adolph and Christina. 
(Bremer) Katterhenry, natives of Germany. Adolph came to 
the United States in 1844, and located first in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and in 1850 came to Dubois County and estab- 
lished the first brick manufactory in Huntingburgh. He re- 
mained in this business until 1885 and is now retired fi-om 
active work. He is a Republican and a leading member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Frederick was raised in 
Huntingburgh, ancl received a good English and German 
education. During 1879-80 he taught school and afterward 
clerked in stores in his native town. In 1882 he engaged 
in business with his father, and now has active management of 
affairs. They have a large and select stock of goods and have a 
fine trade. Frederick is a member of the Methodist Church and 
is an excellent young man. 

CHRISTIAN KESTNER was born in Germany in May, 
1833, a son of B. Kestner and Anna Elizabeth Kilian, who came 
to this country in 1886 or 1837, and located in Louisville, Ky. 
Remaining there a short time they came to Huntingburgh, Ind, 
and rented land for several years. They then bought forty acies 
of land and gradually added to it until they at one time owned 
120 acres, and also a grist-mill on the Patoka River. The father 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 633 

died in 1871, and the mother in 1850. Christian acquired a good 
education by his own euorts and remained at home assisting his 
father on the farm and in the milL which he built. He had no 
instruction in milling, but he succeeded in making rtiany improve- 
jnents and built one of the best mills in this section of the country. 
He received 120 acres of land from his father, and at one time 
owned 200 acres. He afterward sold 180 acres and now owns 
eighty acres of well cultivated land. May 28, 18(V2, he married 
Mary Ficken. They have no children of their own. but have 
raised two children: Maggie H. Eoth and Lawrence Smith. He 
and family are members of the Methodist Church, of which he 
has been a member over twenty years. He is a Republican in 
politics, and is a highly respected and Christian gentleman. 

JONAS KILIAN was born in Guntershausen, Germany, 
February 8, 1837, being one of four children born to Henry and 
Elizabeth (Siebert) Kilian, natives also of Germany. The father, 
who was a farmer, came to the United States in 1854 and soon 
after came to Dubois County, Ind., and located on a farm near 
Huntingburgh, where he remained until his death, which occurred 
in 1857. Our subject received a good German education in his 
i-ative country, and after coming to this country, worked on the 
f rm until 1803, when he came to Huntingburgh and worked at 
1 anual labor until 1866, and then bought a brickyard and kiln, 
A orking them successfully until 1876, when he and C. W. Dufen- 
c ach engaged in general merchandising, continuing at this until 
"^ 881, when he sold out his interest and bought a one-third inter- 
st in his present business. He was married, in 1858, to Eliza- 
)eth Appel. To them were born five children: Anna (deceased), 
John, Emma, Louis and Edward. Mr. Kilian is a Democrat and 
was a member of the town council one term. He and wife are 
members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and he is a success- 
ful business man and an upright citizen. 

CHRISTIAN KORNRUMPF, jeweler of Huntingburgh, 
Ind., was born in AVolfhagen, Hessia, Germany, March 20, 1845, 
and is one of two children born to John and Anna Mary (Fuchs) 
Kornrumpf. The mother died in Germany in 1847, and the 
father still resides in the old country. Our subject was raised 
with his mother's people after her death, and received a good 
education in his native language. In 1856 he came to America, 
and lived on a farm in Dubois County two years. He there 
learned the shoe-maker's trade in Huntingburgh and worked at 
that business one year, after that he clerked in Leonard Bretz's 
store three years, and for three years afterward taught school in 
the town and county. He then returned to Mr. Bretz's, with 
whom he remained three more years. In 1870, he engaged in the 
manufacture and sale of organs, and although having no previous 



634 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

experience, lie made such a success of the business that he con- 
tinued working at it until 1875, when he quit manufactui'ing and 
began selling them ; later he added a large stock of other musical 
instruments, also adding watches, clocks, jewelry, sewing machines 
and spectacles. Mr. Kornrumpf's business increased so rapidly 
that in 1883, he erected his present large brick building. 
In 1870, he married Anna B. Bretz. To them have been born 
four children: Anna S. (deceased), Martha W., Lydia K. and 
Clara A. He and family are members of the Evangelical Lu- 
theran Church. Mr. Kornrumpf is an enterprising and successful 
business man, and is an upright and honest citizen. 

FRANK KLEE a native of Prussia, was bgrn October IT, 
1815. He is the ninth child in a family of five sons and si- 
daughters, born to the marriage of Theodore Klee and Aixuct 
Linsnig, also natives of Germany. The father, ^vho was a black- 
smith, came to the United States when Frank was an infant, and 
located near Evansville, Ind. He owned a small farm, and con- 
tinued to follow his trade until 1862, when he came to Dubois 
County and located in Ferdinand Township, where he remained 
until his deatli, which occurred in September, 1877. The mother 
is still living at Evansville. Frank was reared at home, receiving 
but little instruction in the schools. At the age of seventeen he 
learned the miller's trade which he followed until his marriage, 
after which he bought a farm east of Huntingburgh where he has 
since resided, he also owns property in the town. July 31, 1866, he 
was united in marriage with Mary Hoing, a native of Kentucky, and 
to them have been born eleven children, only eight of whom are 
living, namely: Edward, William, Anna, Lovis, Frank, Mary, 
Joseph and Leonard. Both Mr. Klee and wife are members of 
the Catholic Church. For a short time during 1885, he was en- 
gaged in conducting a meat market in Huntingburgh. 

GERHARD KOCH, Jr., was born in Dubois County, Ind., 
April 12, 1842, and is a son of Gerhard Koch, Sr. (see sketch.) 
He was educated in the common schools near his home and at the 
age of nineteen he married and settled on the home farm where 
he has since resided ; he has a jfine farm of 160 acres well im- 
proved, and gives especial attention to stock raising. November 
14, 1860, he married Mary Wesseler, a native of the county. 
They have six children, five now living: John, Frank, Henry, 
Edward and Amelia. December, 1863, he enlisted in Company 
M, Tenth Indiana Cavalry; he was with Thomas' army and was 
taken prisoner by Hood's army, but succeeded in making his es- 
cape after four, days' captivity, and rejoined his command; he is 
now a member hi the G. A. R. and a Republican in politics, and 
he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. 

HENRY LANDGREBE, born in Germany, September, 9, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 635 

1842, is a son of John and Martha (Walter) Landgrebe, who 
were natives of Germany, where they lived and died. Henry re- 
mained in Germany until he was fourteen years old and had se- 
cured a fair education in his native language, he then came to 
the United States landing at New Orleans, where he remained 
three weeks, and in 1857, came to Dubois County, Ind., and lo- 
cated at Huntingburgh, where he learned the shoe maker's trade, 
working at this until the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted 
in Company K, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, serving three years 
as a private. At the close of the war he returned home and en- 
gaged in the manufacture and sale of shoes, together with gen- 
eral merchandise, in company with F. Hildebrand. In about 
three years he sold out and engaged in the manufacture and sale 
of boots and shoes for himself, in which business he has re- 
mained ever since. In 1880, he entered into partnership with his 
brother Louis, and Jonas Kilian and op'ened a gent's clothing 
store, and they are now conducting their enterprises with good suc- 
cess, having a large fine stock of goods. In 1865, he married 
Sophia Fuchs. To them Aere born eight children, six now liv- 
ing: Anna K., Elizabeth P., Christian A., Louisa, Emma, Otto 
K. (deceased), Nalda and Edmond C. Mr. Landgrebe is a warm 
Democrat and has been a member of the town council for eight 
years, and has held various other local offices of trust. He and 
wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

M. D. LEMOND, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of 
Dubois County was born in the county, January 28, 1842, being 
the oldest of eleven children born to the marriage of John B. 
Lemond and Abselah Miller, natives of North Carolina and 
Dubois County, Ind., respectively. The father, when a youth, came 
to the county with his parents and located on the farm where our 
subject now lives. After his marriage he lived on the home farm 
for one year, and then moved on a tract of land which he entered 
about three-fourths of a mile east. He lived there several years, 
but finally returned to the home farm, where he died September 
1, 1862. The mother died in April, 1878. They were among 
the earliest pioneers of the county, and to such as they is due the 
credit of the development of the county. M. D. Lemond was 
reared at home receiving a common school education. He worked 
on the home farm until the death of his father, when he assumed 
control, and has since continued to own and work it. He is now 
the owner of 700 acres of good land, and is probably the largest 
farmer in the county. He makes a specialty of stock raising, 
chiefly cattle. October 10, 1883, he was united in marriage with 
Sallie J. Harris, a native of Spencer County, and to them Jias 
been born one child, Charles B., born July 3 1884. Mr. Lemond 
resided at Duff Station on the Lake Erie & St. Louis Railway- 
five miles west of Huntingburgh. 



636 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

JACOB H. LEMMON, representative of one of the pioneer 
families of the county, was born , February 8, 1840, son of John 
and Elizabeth (Cimmerl) Lemmon. The father, a native of 
Kentucky, came to Dubois County, Ind., with his father in; 1802, 
and located on a tract of land near where Porters ville now stands. 
John was raised amid the wilderness, undergoing all the hardships 
of pioneer life. After marriage he followed farming, sending his 
products by boats down the White, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers to New Orleans. His death, which occurred in 1872, was a 
severe loss to his many friends. He was a Republican and a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject 
received a very limited education and passed his boyhood on the 
farm. July 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, I'wenty-fourth 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He remained in the field until 
January, 1865, then returned home and in November, 1866, he 
married Martha Jane McMahan, who has borne him two children: 
McMahan and Louise. He is a stanch Republican in politics, 
and a member of the G. A. R. He and wife are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. After marriage, Mr. Lemmon 
lived on the old homestead until 1872, and then purchased the 
McMahan farm near Duff Station, where he resided until 1883, 
when he removed to Huntingburgh where he has since resided. 
He still controls his farms and is engaged in stock raising. 

WILLIAM R. McMAHAN, M. D., of Huntingburgh, is a 
representative of one of the oldest and most respected families of 
Dubois County. He was born September 8, 1843, being the 
eldest and only son in a family of five children, all living, bom 
to the marriage of Joseph A. McMahan and Nancy Armstrong. 
The father was born in Kentucky in 1812, a son of William R. 
McMahan, and was of Scotch descent. In 1818 the famih 
moved to Indiana and settled on a farm two miles west of wheri 
Jasper now is, in Dubois County. There the grandfather of oui 
subject passed tlie remainder of his days, and as a Whig in poli- 
tics was among the first to represent Dubois County in the State 
Legislature, and also served as one of the associate judges of the 
county for a number of years. He died about the year 1835, a 
member of long stan ding in the Baptist Church, of which he was 
a minister. Joseph^. McMahan was raised on a farm in this 
county, and when a youth learned the tanner's trade, at which he 
worked until 1832, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits at 
Jasper. Twelve years later he removed to a farm about five miles 
west of Huntingburgh, where he resided and engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits the remainder of his days. He was an unassuming, 
honest and industrious citizen, and a man whose character was 
without a blemish. A Republican in politics, a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he died respected by all who 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 637 

knew him, July 21, 1872. The motlier of our subject was of 
Irish extraction. Born in Kentucky, she came to this State at 
an early day, and bravely assisted her husband in his lifo's la- 
bors. She died June 12, 1872, aged sixty-two years. Dr. W. 
K McMahan received but a limited literary education in 
youth, but being a close observer and great reader, that omis- 
sion has been supplied in later years. When eighteen years 
old, the war of the Eebellion began, and espousing the Union 
cause he enli'sted a private in Company E, Fifty-eighth Volun- 
teer Infantry from Indiana. He served two years, lacking two 
months, as private and non-commissioned officer, and after 
Stone River battle was promoted second lieutenant, then first lieu- 
tenant. He commanded a company on the memorable march to the sea 
with Sherman, and also had command of the foragers for his regiment. 
Returning North at the close of the war he read medicine with an 
uncle at Mankato, Minn., two years. In 1868 he graduated from 
Rush Medical College of Chicago and since that time has prac- 
ticed his profession at Huntingburgh, Ind., where he has won 
success and distinction as a physician and surgeon, and esteem as 
a private citizen. Since first beginning the study of medicine Dr. 
McMahan has ever been a student, and besides being a member of 
the American Medical Association, was a member of the faculty 
of the Evansville Medical College during the years 1882-83-84, 
having occupied the chair of Surgical Pathology. He is the pres- 
ent president of the town school board, is one of the directors of 
the Huntingburgh Bank, is chief surgeon for the Lake Erie and 
St. Louis Railway, and is a member of the board of examining 
surgeons at Huntingburgh for pensions. March 23, 1868, Dr. 
McMahan wedded Louisa Helfrich, who died October 13, 1875, 
after bearing him four children, three of whom now live. March 
8, 1877, Elizabeth Lukermeyer became his wife, and of three chil- 
dren born them two are now living. Dr. McMahan is a Repub- 
lican, and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

JOACHIM MIESSNER, j^-oprietor of the Huntingburgh 
Woolen-mills, was born in Hanover, Germany, September 8, 1829, 
being one of four children born to Adolph and Catharine (Loh- 
man) Miessner, natives of the same place as our subject, where 
they lived and died. Joachim passed his boyhood laboring on 
the farm. He received a good common school education and at 
the age of twenty years he left his native land and immigrated to 
America, locating in Huntingburgh, Ind., which was at that 
period a very small settlement. He worked at manual labor two 
years, and secured enough money to make a partial payment on 
a small farm he had purchased south of town. He cleared and 
improved the land and has lived there ever since. In 1865 he 



638 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

started a woolen-mill in Huntingburgh with Ernst Zeller as part- 
ner. Zeller sold out to Gerhard Koch, and in 1878, Miessner 
purchased the whole property and has carried on the business 
with fair success. He uses about ten tons of wool annually, 
manufacturing a superior quality of jeans, linsey and stocking 
yarn, and employs about ten hands. In 1850 he married Anna 
Catherine Harms, a native of Hanover, Germany. They have six 
children: John Henry, William, Anna, Charles, Maria and Au- 
gust. He is a Republican, and he and family are members of 
the Evangelical Church. 

BERNARD MILLER, manager and one of the proprietors 
of the Huntingburgh Star Mills, was born in Prussia, March 18, 
1848, being one of a large family of children born to Edward 
and Fredrica (Kuhn) Miller, natives of East Prussia and living 
the greater part of their lives in West Prussia, where they died, 
the father in May, 1885, and the mother in March, 1868. Bern- 
ard was raised in his native country, receiving a good German 
education. At the age of sixteen years, he began learning the 
mercantile business and working as a clerk in the stores of Ger- 
many until 1877, when he came to the United States, locating 
first in Pike County, Ind., where he worked in a saw-mill two 
years, and then came to Dubois County and farmed two years, 
and later worked as section hand and foreman on the railroad 
until the latter part of 1884. In March, 1885, he bought a one- 
sixth interest in his present business, and is meeting with good 
success, , that firm doing the leading business in their county, 
having a large steam buhr-mill. In 1878 Mr. Miller married 
Mary Herrudorf. They are the parents of four children: Olga, 
Dina, Agnes and Arthur. He is a Democrat, and a member of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. His wife is a Catholic. 

CHARLES 'MOENKHAUS, proprietor of the St. George 
Hotel, Huntingburgh, Ind., was born in Louisville, Ky., March 18, 
1860, and is one of seven children born to the marriage of Will- 
iam Moenkhaus and Fredrica Ramsbrok, who are natives of Ger- 
many. Charles came to Dubois County with his parents when a 
child, and was raised by them in jBuntingburgh, receiving a fair 
German and English education. He was engaged in the hotel 
business with his father until February, 1883, when he assumed 
control of the business, and has conducted it successfully ever 
since. The St. George is the best hotel in the town or county, 
and commands the leading local and transient trade, and is well 
and comfortfibly furnished throughout. February 4, 1883, he 
married Louisa Bretz, a native of Dubois County, He and wife 
are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and he is a 
Democrat, and a successful and enterprising youi^ business man. 

GEORGE B. MONTGOMERY, M. D., of Huntingburgh, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 639 

Ind., was born August 12, 1827. He is one of ten children born 
to John R. and Kate (Brownlee) Montgomery, and is the only 
living representative of his people. His parents were natives of 
Kentucky, and the father came to Indiana when about ten years 
old, and located with his parents in Gibson County, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. He held the office of recorder 
of that county for twenty-seven years, and was well and favora- 
bly known. Our subject's grandfather was also quite a noted 
personage. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, being in the 
battle of Tippecanoe, and was associate judge of the probate 
court a number of years. Was a member of the State Legislature 
from Gibson County, serving a number of terms in that capacity. 
The immediate subject of our sketch received a fair education in 
the public schools, and at the age of seventeen began the study of 
medicine under Drs. Graff and Lewis, and also under Dr. Fullerton, 
continuing his study two or three years. He began practicing 
medicine in Jefferson County. 111., continuing one year. He then 
came to Jasper, Ind., and shortly after removed to Winslow, 
Pike Co., Ind., and made that his home for over thirty years. 
In the meantime he graduated from the Medical College of 
Evansville in 1868. In 1883 he came to Huntingburgh, where 
he is at present engaged in the practice of his profession, meet- 
ing with good success wherever he goes. He was appointed 
assistant surgeon of the Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, and 
was afterward promoted to surgeon of the regiment. January 4, 
1851, he married Kate Whitman, a native of Warrick County, 
Ind. They have three children living: Clarence, Viola and 
Helen. He is a stanch Republican, and has held the office of 
examining surgeon for pensions for ten or twelve years, but was 
removed under Cleveland's administration. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. He is the last of his generation, 
having no living relatives. 

CHRISTIAN MORGANTHALER, native of Germany and 
son of John and Margaret Morganthaler, natives of the same 
place, was born June 20, 1826, and was raised and received his 
education in his native land. At the breaking out of the war in 
1848, he came to the United States, and located in New York 
City, where he worked for about seven years in a store. He then 
came to Evansville and worked at manual labor about sixteen 
years. In 1872, he came to Dubois County and settled on the 
farm where he now lives. His farm of 170 acres is well improved 
with good buildings. May 2, 1856, he married Barbara Decker, 
a native of Germany. They have five children: Fred, Matilda, 
Louisa, Anna and Mary. Fred and Louisa are school teachers 
and are doing well for themselves. The family are members of 
the Lutheran Church. Mr. Morganthaler is a Republican, cast- 



640 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

ing his first vote for Lincoln. He is an upright, honest citizen 
and highly respected. 

HON. WILLIAM E. NIBLACK, of Vincennes, judge of the 
supreme court, was born in Dubois County, Ind., May 22, 1822. 
The father who was of b?otch descent was born in Kentucky, and 
the mother, a native of Virginia, was of English descent. The 
former came to Indiana in 1817, and the latter in 1820. They 
were married near Petersburg, Pike Co., in 1821. Our subject, 
spent his early life on a farm, and when sixteen years old entered 
the State University, but pecuniary circumstances did not permit 
him to finish his course and graduate. He followed surveying 
three years, and in the meantime studied law. In 1845 he began 
practicing law at Old Mount Pleasant, and in 1849 was elected to 
the Legislature. At various times he held the office of senator, 
circuit judge of the judicial district, holding the positions about 
eight years. He soon after moved to Vincennes and was elected 
to Congress in 1856, serving by re-election in the thirty-fifth and 
thirty-sixth Congress until 1801. He served in the State Legisla- 
ture during the session of 18B3, and in 1804 was again elected 
to Congress serving continuously until March 4, 1875. In 1804 he 
was delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago, 
and the same at New York, 1808. In 1876 he was elected a 
judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana and served one term of six 
years, and was re-elected in 1882. Although he descends from 
the Whig and Federal party, he has always been a stanch Dem- 
ocrat. He is considered a just and upright judge, a true man and 
earnest citizen, and wears his honors in a manner that shows him 
to be worthy the many exalted positions he has filled. 

GERHARD H. NIEHAUS, one of the oldest pioneers of 
the county, was born in Hanover, Germany, April 11, 1808, son 
of Frederick Niehaus and Margaret Knostmann, natives of the 
same place. Gerhard remained in Germany until he was about 
twenty-four years old. Having learned the printer's trade, he 
came to the United States and located first in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and then in Louisville, Ky., where he remained until 1838. He 
then came to Dubois County, Ind. , and bought the farm on which 
he has since resided. It was then a wilderness, but now is a fine 
farm of 320 acres. He was married in 1837, to Katharine M. 
Aransmann, by whom he is the father of four children, one now 
living, Bernhard. His wife died July 28, 1877. He is a mem- 
ber of the Evangelical Church, and a worthy and useful citizen. 

BARNARD NIEHAUS, son of the above, was born Novem- 
ber 28, 1838. He received a good education, and has worked on 
the farm all his life, having had, for the past three years, com- 
plete control of it. Mai:ch 17, 1863, he was united in marriage 
to EUsa Weeseler, native of the county, born January 10, 1844. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 641 

To them were born seven children: Katie, Benjamin, Sarah, 
Reuben, Levi, Flora and Lawrence. Both he and wife are mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, 
and is one of the best and most influential farmers in the county. 

J£RNST PICKHARDT, editor and proprietor of the Hunt- 
.ngburgh Signal, the only German paper in Dubois County, was 
born in Hueckesuagen, Rhine Province, Prussia, August 29, 183'2, 
being second of a family of nine children born to William and 
Wilhelmina (Leyer) Pickhardt, both natives of the same country. 
The father, who was a cabinet-maker by trade, came to the United 
States in June, 1850. locating at Evansville, Ind., where he fol- 
lowed his trade until about 18(57, when he came to Huntingburgh, 
and continued at his trade here until his death. The father 
was a quiet, unassuming citizen, and was fairly successful in life, 
from a financial standpoint, having accumulated considerable 
property. Himself and wife were members of the Evangelical 
Church. The subject of tliis sketch was raised in his native 
country, receiving a fair education in his native language. He 
learned the cabinet-maker's trade of his father at the age of 
twelve years. He came to the United States with his parents, 
and worked at his trade until 1854, then clerked a year in a store 
in Evansville. In 185() he came to Huntingburgh. and engaged 
in a general merchandise business, continuing until 1878. In 
1S()7 he. in coni[)any with a cousin. Mr. Emil Reininghaus, started 
the Huntingl)urgh SigmiL In 1878 he assumed complete control 
ot' tli^' paper, and has managed it ever since, meeting with extra- 
ordinarv ^-ooij success. Se])tember 24. 1854, he married Eliza- 
!>-tl, Wpisln^iiii.M'. a native .>f Hpskp Dnnnstndt. Thev havo 
seven childi-en living: Edmund, Ernst W., Louisa, John, Amalia, 
Anna and Clara. He is a Democrat in politics, but conducts his 
paper on the independent principle. He is a Mason. Himself 
and family "are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Reformed 
Church. He has held various local offices of trust in the town 
and county, such as township trustee, and member of town and 
school board, and is recognized throughout the county as an en- 
terprising and successful newspaper man, and an upright Chris- 
tian citizen. 

WILLIAM T. POWELL was born April 29, 1845. and is the 
elder of two children of James and Sarah (Oxley) Powell, natives 
of Virginia and Indiana, respectively. The father was married 
in this county, and has since been living on a farm. The mother 
died in 1878 or 1879, and about two years later the father took 
for a second wife, Mrs. Sarah Hendrickson. William remained 
at home until about twenty years old, when • he married and 
began farming for himself in Ferdinand Township, where he 
lived until 1868, and then exchanged it for his present farm of 



642 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

eighty acres. He also owns eighty acres of land in Warrick 
County. February 23, 1865, he was married to Missouri Fisher, 
by whom he is the father of seven children, five now living; 
James T., John L., Ella A., Mary and Morman M. In politics, 
Mr. Powell is a Democrat, and is a well known man of the county. 

H. WILLIAM PRIOE, a well known farmer of Dubois 
County, Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany, August 28, 1826. 
He came with his parents, John H. and Mary (Engel) Prior, to 
America in 1842, and located in Huntingburgh, then consisting 
of two or three houses. They lived on leased land about six years, 
when the father died, October 16, 1848, and very soon after, Will- 
iam entered the farm where he now resides. He now owns 120 
acres, and has shown great industry in clearing it and getting it 
in the fine state of cultivation it now is. August 31, 1848, h( 
was married to Mary A. Beamer, born in September, 1831. 
Twelve children have been born to them, ten of whom are living: 
Henry, Anna, William, John, Louisa, Frederick, Caroline, Louis,. 
Hosa and Johanna. The two children who died were August,, 
aged eighteen years, and Mary, an infant. The family are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. 

AUGUST RAMSBKOK, one of the proprietors of the Hunt- 
ingburgh Union Mills, was born in Prussia, January 8, 1841, 
is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Lohofener) Ramsbrok, natives of 
the same province, where they lived and died. August received 
a fair German education, and came to the United States in 1855, 
locating first in Louisville, Ky., where he commenced the cigar- 
maker's and baker's trades, working until 1861. He then 
enlisted as musician in the Fifth Regiment Kentucky Infantry, 
serving in this capacity, and also part of the time as baker until 
1865, when he came to Huntingburgh and engaged in the leaf 
tobacco business until 1878, when he bought a one-third interest 
in his present business, in which he has met with good success. 
The firm has a large and well furnished steam buhr-mill and 
commands a good trade. In 1865, Mr. Ramsbrok married Fred- 
rica Winkenhofer. To them were born four children: William 
H. K., Christian R. F., Henry B. (deceased) and Louisa M. He 
is a Democrat, and has been a member of the town council over 
fifteen years. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church. 

JACOB RAUSCHER was born in Germany, January 5, 
1820, son of Daniel and Mary Rauscher, who came to this coun- 
try when Jacob was a lad about ten years of age. The mother 
lied on the voyage to this country. The father located in Stark 
. County, Ohio, where he remained five or six years, after which he 
came to Dubois County and entered a tract of land near Hunting- 
burgh, where he remained until his death. He was twice married. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 643 

Jacob received little or no education. When he was about fifteen 
years old his father died, and he remained with his step-mother 
about a year, and then worked out by the month, remaining with 
one man three successive years, and receiving $8 per month. In 
payment he took eighty acres of land where he yet resides ; by 
industry and good management, he now owns between 500 and 
♦)00 acres. In 18()5, he sold his farm and moved to Hunting- 
burgh and engaged in the milling business, but at the end of five 
years, he purchased his old farm. He also owned an interest in 
the Star Mills of Huntingburgh, but has lately given all his 
attention to stock-raising. He chose for his wife, Anna M. 
Schavley. To them were born ten children, five now living: 
Isaac, William. Mary, Emma and Eva. He is a Democrat, and 
a member of the Lutheran Church. 

DANIEL EEUTEPOHLEE, cashier of the Huntingburgh 
Bank, was born December 17, 1850, and is one of seven children 
born to Herman and Catherine ( Solman ) Reutepohler, natives of 
Prussia. The father a cooper by trade, came to America in 
183(), locating first in Kentucky, and finally came to Dubois 
County, Ind., where he has since lived, coopering and farming 
being his occupations. He has been very successful from a 
financial standpoint, and has lived in this county thirty-four 
years. He married our subject's mother in Ohio, in 1842 or 
1843, and her death occurred in August 1855. Later, he married 
Margaret Mann, his present wife. Our subject passed his boy- 
hood on the farm with his parents. He secured a fair English 
education, and by his own efforts is a good German scholar. At 
the age of twenty, he hired out as teamster to Henry Kunz, of 
Holland, this county, with whom he remained one year. He 
then worked at the same business in different parts of the county. 
He attended college at Berea, Ohio, one year, then returned 
home and sold books in the county in order to secure money to 
finish his education, and soon after, attended the Evansville 
Business College, from which he graduated in 1874. He mar- 
ried Margaret Kunz, and worked with his father-in-law in the 
store until 1881, when he began selling drugs on hi'* own respon- 
sibility. In 1883, he came to Huntingburgh and assumed his 
present position, which he has filled faithfully and well ever 
since. In 1876, his wife died, leaving one child, Ella Nora. 
He married Carrie Huenefeld in 1882. They have one child, 
Cora Ella. Mr. Keutepohier is a Republican, and a man who 
takes an interest in all private and public enterprises. He is 
secretary of the Huntingburgh Building and Loan Association. 
He and wife are members of the German Methodist Church, and 
he is a prominent and successful business mfm of Dubois County. 

HERMAN ROTHERT, a proiifiifft" eitizen of Hunting- 



644 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

burgh, Ind,, was born in Hanover, Germany, October 2S. 1S2K, 
and is an only son of four children born to Gerhard and Marga- 
retta (Kuhran) Rothert, natives of the same country. The 
father, who was a house carpenter by trade, came to the United 
States in 1840, and soon after, located in Huntingburgh, where 
he worked at his trade, bought lots and built a house in order 
to prepare a home for his family, whom he had left in the old 
country. In 1840, he returned home, but came back the same 
year, bringing his oldest daughter with him. In 1844, he sent 
for the remainder of his family, and continued working at his 
trade in Huntingburgh until his death, which occurred in 1855. 
His widow is still living, at the age of eighty-five, and resides in 
Huntingburgh. The subject of this sketch was raised in Ger- 
many, and received only a common education in his native lan- 
guage. At the age of sixteen, he l)egan learning the carpenter 
trade of his father, working at it off and on, until he was twenty- 
eight years old, working also at any manual labor by which he 
could obtain money. He soon evinced a disposition for trade. 
and began in the merchandise business, also trading in fur and 
tobacco, and engaged in the pork-packing business. Later, he 
began keeping hotel, conducting it successfully for a number of 
years, also continuing the other enterprises Avith the exceptiori 
of store-keeping. Mr. Rothert proved very successful in the to- 
bacco business, and enlarged his warerooms from time to time, 
.so that now he has two large buildings, one three and a half 
stories high, and covering an area of 150x152 feet. He gives 
employment to sixty or sixty-five hands ten months during the 
year, and handles about 1,000,000 pounds of leaf tobacco annu- 
ally. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, having 
started in life with but little money, and little or no English ed- 
ucation, but by untiring energy and perseverance, he has arisen 
step by step, until he now possesses a competency second to none 
in southern Indiana. He owns 2,500 acres of good land, mostly 
in Dubois, Pike and Warrick Counties. September 11*, 1854, he 
married Franziska Weber, a native of Bruchsal City, Baden, 
Germany. To them were born five children: Frank J. (deceased), 
Sophia, Johji H., Hugo C, and Otto A. Mr. Rothert has always 
been a reliable Democrat, and was a public official here a num- 
ber of years, and also postmaster for some time. He has never 
aspired to any office of note. He is a member of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Reformed Church. His wife who is an intelligent, ac- 
complished lady, is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr, Roth- 
ert who is president of the Huntingburgh Bfmk, is an enterpris- 
ing and successful business man, owns property in Greene County. 
Ark., and has the reputation of being a thoroughly upright and 
honest citizen. 



inOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. 64" 

HENRY SCHPiOErv, meivluint. Hiiiitinglmrgh. IjkI., aii^I 
native of Dubois Countv. was horn A])ril 7. 1844. He is a son 
of William and Christina (Christopher) Sehroer, natives of Prus- 
sia, who married in the old country and came to the United State- 
in 1(S3() or 1S;57. locating in ( 'incinnati, Ohio, where they remained 
about four years, and then moved to Dubois County. They chose 
for their home a tract of land a few miles west of Huntingburgli. 
Here they })assed the remainder of their lives, the father's 
death occurring October 14. 1S72. and the mother's March 7, l(S()',i. 
William was quite successful from a financial sta]id})oint. He 
cleared and imjn'oved his land and was forced to undergo many 
of the hardships incident to pioneer life. His scm Henry, re- 
ceived as good an education as could be obtained in the schools of 
his day and at the age of twenty-two he left home and worked 
at manual labor in Boonville, Ind. He soon returned home and 
feeling the necessity of a better education, began selling scientific 
and religious books in order to obtain money for schooling. He 
attended the Rockport Indiana College for some time where he fit- 
ted himself for teaching. He continued at this work until he was 
twenty-seven or twenty-eight years of age, when he returned home 
and took control of his father's farm, which he subse(|uently 
bought and where he lived until 1880, when he moved to Hunt- 
ingburgh and engaged in general merchandising. His business in- 
creased so rapidly since 1884 that he took Henry Katterjohn as 
partner. They have had excellent success and are doing a thriv- 
ing business. April 15, 1869, he married Dinah Feldwisch. 
To this union were born five children : Emma M., Louis William, 
Sarah, John and Wesley .^..^Ir. Sehroer is a stanch Republican 
and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He isrecognized throughout the county as an enterprising and up- 
right citizen. 

HENRY SCHNECK, proprietor of a wagon, blacksmith and 
repair shop, began business September 1, 1871, in the building 
he now occupies. He has an extensive trade and is doing a thriv- 
ing business. He was born November 1(5, 1848, in W^urtemburg, 
Germany, and is one of eight children born to Henrich P. and 
Christina (Green) Schenck, natives of the same place, in which 
country they lived and died. The father who was mayor of Oss- 
weil, died in 18f)9, and the mother in 1861. Henry received a 
good education in the schools of his native country, and at the 
age of fifteen years began to learn the machinist's trade, serving 
six years as an apprentice. In 1864 he came to the United States 
and worked five years in Jeffersonville, Ind., meanwdiile learning 
the blacksmith's trade. Until 1871 he worked in Louisville, Ky., 
and then came to Huntingburgh where he has since resided. Oc- 
tober 29. 1872, he married Katharine Limp. To this union four 



646 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

children w^re born; Charles, Lizzie, Otto and Hugo. He and 
wife arc nienibers of the Lutheran Church and he is a Democrat. 

HERMANN H. SCHMETT, native of Hanover, Germany, 
was born August '21, 1838, being the second son in a family of 
four children of Adam and Kate (Bellar) Schmett, who came to 
the United States in 1852. On reaching Troy, Ind., the father 
took sick and died. The family came on to Dubois County, Ind. 
Herman worked on farms for wages until the breaking out of the 
war when he enlisted in Company G, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteers, 
serving until March 21, 18()5. He participated in the pursuit of 
Morgan, siege of Vicksburg and the Texas campaign, and numer- 
ous lesser engagements. Soon after returning home he bought 
the farm where he now lives. He has now a farm of 120 
acres and has erected good buildings on it, and is giving con- 
siderable attention to stock-raising. November 30, 1865, he 
married Katie Bergmann, a native of the county. They have six 
children : Frederick, Adam, Bernhard, Frank, Louis and Edward. 
Both parents are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics 
he is very liberal, usually voting for the man rather than the 
party. He favors Democratic principles. 

DR. CHARLES W. SCHWARTZ, druggist and practicing 
physician of Huntingburgh, Ind., was born near the city of 
Strasburg. Germany, December 23, 1850, and is the eldest of 
three children born to Phillip and Kathrina (Miller) Schwartz, 
natives of the same place. The father was a carpenter by trade 
and came to the United States in 1852, followed by his family a 
•year later. He located in Posey County, Ind., where he followed 
his trade and engaged in mercantile pursuits until his death in 
1882. The mother died in 1873. Our subject received a fair 
education i» German and English, attending Evansville Business 
College for some time, at the age of seventeen he began clerking 
in a store at Evansville where he remained six months. He then 
returned home and began the study of medicine and attended the 
University of Louisville, Ky., in 1872, 1873 and 1874, and gradu- 
ated from that school in the latter year. He came to Perry 
County and practiced for some months in Leopold during his 
vacation in 1873. He settled permanently in Huntingburgh and 
soon established a good practice. In 1880 he began keeping a 
drug store, which has proved very successful to the Doctor. He 
carries an excellent stock of goods and has a large share of the 
trade in town and county. August 2(), 1874, he married Emma 
Fromm. To them were born two children : Esther S. and Charles 
H. The Doctor is a Republican in politics and was pension ex- 
aminer, for three years. He is a member of the County Medical 
Society and was president of that body one year. He is a Mason 
and was raised in the Lutheran Reformed Church of which his 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 649 

wife is a member. Dr. Schwartz is one of the energetic and 
prosperous business men of Dubois County-, and is recognized as 
a well read and efficient physician and an excellent citizen. 

• C. C. SCHREEDER, manager of the Huntingburgh Argus, 
was born January ID, 1847, in Berlin, Germany, being the only 
son of Charles Frederick and Mary (Arensmann) Schreeder. 
His father dying, his mother, with the subject of this sketch, 
then a mere lad, sailed for the United States soon after, and ar- 
rived at Huntingburgh, Ind., in the autumn of 1852, where they 
took up their residence. About a year afterward his mother 
married the Rev. Frederick Wiethaup, a minister of the German 
Evangelical Association, and the family moved to Evansville, Ind., 
where Rev. Wiethaup was in charge of a congregation. From 
Evansville the family moved to the northeastern part of Indiana, 
where several years were spent in different localities. On account 
of the then meager school facilities of that part of the State, the 
opportunities of young Charles for acquiring an education were 
limited. In the fall of 1861 his step-father was appointed to the 
pastorship of a church in Dayton, Ohio, and during the family's 
stay in that city he attended the public schools. In the early 
part of the year 1863, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted 
in the Rebellion, joining Company D, Second Ohio Infantry, 
which company was at once ordered to active duty. He served 
in the above company as sergeant until the following winter, when 
he was discharged on account of physical disabilities. During 
the same winter he went to Evansville, Ind., where he set in to 
learn the saddler's trade, but was prevented from so doing by a 
continuance of ill health. In the meantime his step-father had 
been stationed at Huntingburgh, Ind., and his health continuing to 
fail, he joined his parents at that place. In January, 1865, he 
again enlisted in the war, this time joining . Company E, One 
Hundred and Forty -third Indiana Volunteers, going from Hunt 
ingburgh. While in the service he at different times performed 
various officers' duties, and at Tullahoma, Tenn., he was detached 
from his company, and upon the special selection of Gen. Dud- 
ley, placed on his body-guard in the capacity of orderly, a 
position which he occupied until the regiment reached Clarks- 
ville, Tenn., where the company was mounted, and engaged in 
scouting and ridding that section of guerrillas. While thus en- 
gaged on the 17th of August he was severely wounded, disabling 
him for life. He remained with his regiment, howeyer, and did 
train guard duty between Clarksville and Bowling Green. The 
company was discharged on the 26th of October, 1865, when he 
returned to Huntingburgh, and spent the following winter in 
recuperating his broken health. He was married, April 12, 1868, 
to Miss Louisa C. Behrens, daughter of Herman Behrens, the 



650 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

first merchant of Huntingburgh. Two children — a daughter 
and a son — were born to them. He was then living in Evans- 
ville, where, in the year of 1868, a battalion of veterans was or- 
ganized, of which he was elected lieutenant-colonel, which was 
quite an honor, he being only twenty-one years of age,- In 
April, 1870, he received the Republican nomination for city as- 
sessor of Evansville. and was elected by a large majority. In 
October of the same year he was elected assessor of Pigeon 
Township, Vanderburgh County, and held that office until 1872, 
when he was nominated and elected city clerk of Evansville, and 
was the youngest man ever elected to that responsible position, 
being only twenty-five years of age. On account of his aged 
parents he returned to Huntingburgh in the fall of 1876. He is 
an ardent Republican, and takes a prominent part in the politics 
of the county and State, exerting much influence. In 1878 he 
was elected chairman of the Republican County Committee, re- 
elected to the same position in 1880, and again in 1884. For the 
past fifteen years he has attended every Republican district and 
State convention, and in 1884 was appointed an alternate dele- 
gate from the Second Ccoigressional District to the Republican 
National Coji,vention, at Chicago. In May, 1877, he was com- 
missioned postmaster at Huntingburgh, in which capacity he 
served eight years, making one of the most efficient officers in 
the State, the office being conducted in the most thorough busi- 
ness-like manner. Upon retiring fi'om the postoffice he assumed 
entire control of the Argus, the only Republican newspaper in 
Dubois County, making that paper the organ of the Republicans, 
and also one of the best country papers in the State. He is an 
enthusiastic member of the G. A. R. He joined the order at 
Evansville, but soon organized a post at Huntingburgh, of which 
he was elected its first commander, and was re-elected to that po- 
sition again. He now occupies the position of aid-de-camp on 
the staff of the department commander, with the rank of colonel. 
CHARLES SHURIG, dealer and manufacturer of tinware, 
stoves, cane and cider-mills, was born in Saxony, Germany, Sep- 
tember 25, 1833, being one of a family of seven children, born 
to August and Wilhelmina (Kulka) Shurig, natives of Germany, 
where they lived and died. The subject of our sketch remained 
in his native country until he was seventeen years old, when he 
came to the United States in 1851, and searched for his sister, 
who had come here about a year previously, and found her in 
Newark, N. J. He remained there about five years and then 
traveled all over the Western States as far as Kansas, working at 
his trade, and finally bought a farm in Kentucky, where he 
remained two years. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted 
as a home guard, and volunteered as a two months' man to guard 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 65] 

Cumberland Gap; finally on account of his Union sentiments he 
was compelled by the Southern guerillas to leave Kentucky, so 
accordingly, in 1863, he came to Dubois County, Ind., and start- 
ed a stove and tin-ware store, remaining in that business ever 
since, where he has had the best of success. In 1860 he married 
Mary Johnson, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of one of 
the early and prominent families of that State. They have eight 
children living: Franklin, Charles, William E,, Emma E., 
James Louis, Philip, Henrietta AV. and Chester August. In 
politics Mr. Shurig is a stanch Republican, and a member of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

GUSTAV SPITZER (deceased), formerly one of the old and 
prominent farmers of the county, was born in Solingen, Germany, 
September 17, 1818, son of John A. Spitzer and Anna Maria 
Schlagter, who came to the United States in 1832, and located in 
Louisville, Ky., where they remained about two years, and then 
came to Dubois Count}', Ind., and bought forty acres of land, 
The father died in 1852, and the mother three years later. Gus- 
tav received a common school education in his native country. 
After coming to America he remained with his parents, except a 
short time before the Mexican war, when he worked at the cut- 
ler's trade. He was married to Julia Risch, October 6, 1853. 
To them were born eight children, four of whom are living: 
Matilda, Hermine, Conrad Gustav and Emily. Mr. Spitzer was 
quite successful, financially, and at the time of his death, Jannary 
13, 1876, he owned 280 acres of land. He was a member of the 
Lutheran Church and a good and useful citizen. 

FREDERICK L. STORK, engineer and one of the paropri- 
etors of the Huntingburgh Star Mills, was born December 20, 
1851, and is a son of William A. and Mary (Waldmaim) 
Stork, natives of Germany. The father, who was a farmer, 
immigrated with his wife and three children to America in 1847, 
and settled in Dubois County, Ind., where he bought a farm and 
remained until his death in 1880. The mother still resides with 
a son in Holland, Ind. Our subject received an ordinary 
English and German education, and at the age of twenty-two 
years learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it in this county 
with good success until 1885, when he booght a one-sixth interest 
in his present business and has given his entire attenticai to it 
since. In November, 1880, he married Sophia Louisa Hilsmire, 
to whom two children were born: Walter Clarence and Stella 
Hattie. Mr. Stork is a warm Republican, and he and wife are 
members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. 

ADAM STRATMANN was bom in Germany, December 
8, 1849, and is a son of John and Theresa (Muetterich) Strat- 
man, who came to America in 1856, locating first in Coring- 



652 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

ton, Ky., where he remained three years. He then came to 
Dubois County, Inch, farming in Jefferson Township until his 
death in August, 1883. The mother still resides on the farm. 
Adam lived with his parents in the city and on the farm until he 
was fifteen years old, and secured a common German and English 
education. He left home and began learning the blacksmith 
trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at this business until 
he was twenty-one years of age. He then came to Dubois Coun- 
ty, and farmed and blacksmithed at home until after the war, 
when he engaged in the saw and grist-mill business in Schnell- 
ville until 1871, and then farmed until 1884. He then came to 
Huntingburgh and engaged in selling all kinds of building 
material in which he has been quite successful. In 1873, he 
married Caroline Schnell, daughter of Henry Schnell, of Jeffer- 
son Township. Mr. Stratmann is a Democrat, and a member 
of the town council and he and wife are Catholics. 

WILLIAM THIES, manufacturer and dealer in furniture 
at Huntingburgh, Ind., is a native of Hanover, Germany, born 
February 5, 1841, being an only child of John Thies and Ange- 
lina Wiethaup, natives of the same place, where the father died 
when William was about three years old. Our subject came to 
the United States with his mother in 1852, and located in Hun- 
tingburgh, where the mother died in 1877. He received a 
limited education, which he has improved in later years by his 
own efforts, and by contact with business life. At the age of 
twelve years, he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade, which 
he followed for about twelve years. In 1864, he enlisted as a 
private in Company K, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, serv- 
ing until the close of the war, when he returned home and 
worked at his trade until the fall of 1865, and then started a 
planing-mill in company with Henry Winkenhofer, continuing 
at this about six years. He then sold his interest, and two years 
later engaged in the tobacco business with Henry Dufendach, 
at which he continued two years. Until 1884, he was one of the 
proprietors of the Union Grist-mill. He then sold out, and soon 
after engaged in his present business, in which he is meeting 
with good success. Mr. Thies is a successful business man, 
starting with no capital, he has by good management and indus- 
try, acquired a comfortable competency. Iij 1865 he married 
Anna Wesseler, to whom eight children were born, six now living : 
Ellen M., Leah, Samuel, Franklin, Walter N. and Lillie. His 
political views are Republican, and he and wife are members of 
the Evangelical Church. 

VITAL AVALZ, proprietor of the pottery and stone pump 
factory at Huntingburgh, Ind., was born in Baden, Germany, 
April 28, 1829, son of Valentine and Agnes (Fritsch) Walz, who 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



653 



lived and died in Germany; the mother, in 1831, and the father, 
in 1863. Vital was raised in Germany, and learned the pottery 
trade. He came to the United States in 1854, and soon after 
located in Evansville, Ind., where he followed his trade nearly 
four years, then engaged in the business for himself, meeting 
with good success. In 1880 he came to Huntingburgh and 
bought out Hermann & Yence, and built his present building in 
which he is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of pottery- 
ware and tiling. In 1856 Mr. Walz married Fredrica Yager, a 
native of Baden, Germany. They are the parents of one child, 
Joseph V. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are 
ntembers of the Catholic Church. 

DANIEL WESSELEE, farmer, of Dubois County, was born in 
the place where he now resides, December 9, 1849, son of John F. 
and Margaret (Hartmann) Wesseler, natives of Hanover, Germany. 
When about twenty -five years old the father came to this country, 
locating for a short time in Louisville, Ky., and then came to 
Indiana and bought the farm of eighty acres on which he now 
resides. He and wife are still living, aged, respectively, seventy- 
five and seventv-four years. They were among the early settlers 
of the county, and have seen the country change from a wilder- 
ness to its present flourishing condition. Daniel was the only 
son, and has remained with his parents, taking care of them in 
their old age. For the past ten years he has had complete control 
of the farm, which the father increased from eighty to 160 acres. 
January 1, 1878, he was married to Katharine Miller, native of 
Germany. To them were born two children: John and Benjamin 
Franklin. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church, 
and he is a Eepublican, and well and favorably known through- 
out the county. 

DR. N. H. WILSON, a native of Jefferson County, I]id., was 
born November 12, 1844. He is the third child "in a family of 
five sons and two daughters born to the marriage of John C. Wil- 
son and A. J. Reynolds, both natives of Jefferson County, Ind., 
and of Scotch-Irish and Irish-English descent, respectively. 
The father, who was born February 20, 1815, has led a very act- 
ive business life. He has managed a farm, and has been ex- 
tensively engaged in stock dealing. He has also been twice iii 
the general merchandise business, in 1851-52 and 1864-65. In 
18()0-61 he represented his county in the State Legislature. 
He has been quite successful in business, and, though he began 
life a poor man, he has accumulated considerable property. He 
is one of the oldest native residents of Jefferson County, and 
was nursed by the noted Indian chief, White Eyes. He has been 
three times married. By the second marriage he is the father of 
five children, three still living; and by his third wife six, all 



654 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

but one of whom is living. Dr. AVilson was reared at home, 
receiving his early education in the common schools, and later 
attended the Lancaster College. From 1862 to 1864 he was a 
member of the Ninth Indiana Legion, and participated in the 
pursuit of Gen. Morgan. February 13, 1865, he enlisted in 
Company K, One Hundi-ed and Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered out at 
Macon, Ga., January 21, 1866. He was promoted to the posi- 
tion of hospital steward, and was in the brigade that received the 
surrender of Gen. Wolford, and which was later divided into de- 
partments in charge of the Freedmen's Bureau of southwestern 
Georgia. While with Stoneman on his raid he visited Anderson- 
ville prison, and now has in his possession a piece of the dead- 
line procured near the Providential Spring. After his return 
from the war he continued the study of medicine and dentistry, 
which he had previously begun. He attended the Miami Medi- 
cal College at Cincinnati, Ohio, for one year, after which he be- 
gan the practice of dentistry at Paris, Ind., and the year following 
removed to Loogootee. He practiced his profession at that place, 
traveling in Pike, Dubois, Martin and Spencer Counties, until 
1872, when he came to Huntingburgh. He now probably does 
more dental work than any other dentist in southern Indiana. In 
addition to his professional duties he has also, at different times, 
dealt in stock and been engaged in general merchandising. He 
is a member of the F. & A. M., Koyal Arch degree, and the I. 
O. O. F., Scarlet degree. Politically he is a Eepublican, and 
takes an active interest in all political matters. 

GERSHOM P. WILLIAMS, M. D., of Huntingburgh, Ind., 
born October 24, 1843, is an only son of James L. and Elizabeth 
(Lynn) Williams, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. 
The father was a school teacher, which occupation he followed 
till his death, in 1844. The mother afterward married John 
Davis, of Warrick County. She died in 1861. At the age of 
ten years Gershom P. was bound out to his brother-in-law, Ben- 
jamin Fuller, and was raised by him on a farm, receiving a fair 
literary education in his boyhood days. At the age of twenty 
he began the study of medicine under Dr. Barker, of Bloomville, 
Ind., and in 1866 he attended the medical college of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, completing his course the following year. He then came 
to Huntinbui'gh and began to practice his profession. He has 
remained here ever since, and has met with good success. In 
1871 he married Alice G. McDonald. To them were born five 
children, four now living: Maud Alice, Jennie Gertrude, Ross 
and Frank, He is a Democrat, and, although he has never 
aspired to office, has held various offices of trust in the town and 
county. He is secretary of the town board of health, and mem- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 655 

ber of the American Medical Society. He is a Mason, and was 
Master of the local lodge three years. During the war he en- 
listed in Company I, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers. He was 
promoted to sergeant of his company. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church, and are worthy and respected 
citizens. 

PLACIDUS ZARN, O. S. B., rector of the Church of Vis- 
itation, of Huntingburgh, Ind., is a native of Canton Graubuend- 
ten, Switzerland, born March 2, 1846, and is one of seven chil- 
dren born to Blasius and Rose C. (Willi) Zarn, natives of Swit- 
zerland. The father came to the United States in 1856 and 
located in Tell City, Perry Co., Ind., in 1858, and later re- 
moved to Spencer County, where he now resides. Father Zarn 
began his studies preparatory for the priesthood in 1858, at St. 
Meinrad's College, receiving ordination fi'om that institution in 
1868. July 16, 1881, he was appointed to his present charge. 



HARBISON TOWNSHIP. 

GEORGE W. ABEL is the son of John and Sarah Abel. 
The father, a native of Virginia, was born in 1807, and the 
mother in Pennsylvania in 1825. John served as general of the 
Home Guards in Ohio, and subsequently engaged in surveying 
in Ohio and Indiana. After he had located in Dubois County he 
was elected assessor for many terms, and between the years 1854 
and 1860 he represented Martin and Dubois Counties in the In- 
diana State Legislature. His death occurred September 2, 1875. 
The subject of our sketch was born November 14, 1854. Decem- 
ber 29, 1881, he married Margaret Walts of Haysville, Ind. He 
received a common school education,, and in 1882 he was elected 
justice of the peace, which office he has held ever since. He is 
a successful farmer, an unprejudiced office holder, and an honest 
citizen. 

GEORGE ANGERER was born in Germany June 2, 1823. 
He came to the United States, after landing in Quebec, and finally 
went to Louisville, Ky., where he worked as a day laborer. Some 
time afterward he settled on a farm in Dubois County, Ind., 
where he has since remained. Barbara Laulner became his wife 
November 8, 1847. She was of the same nativity as himself, and 
became the mother of eleven children, seven now living, named 
as follows: Margaretha (wife of Christian Meyer), John, George, 
Kathrina, Barbara, and Eva and Lena (twins). December 26, 



f)r,6 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

IS7;3, Mrs. Angerer was called from among the living, after hav- 
ing lived a good and useful life. Mr. Angerer and family belong 
to the J^^vangelii-al Lutheran Church. In politics he is a warm 
Democrat, and a successful farmer and prominent citizen. 

JOHN ARNOLD is a son of John and Ursula Arnold, na- 
tives of Germany, who came to the Ignited States in 1S47. The 
father died soon aftt-r his arrival and the mother settled with her 
family in DuI)ois County. Ind. Her death occurred in 1857. The 
sul)jc^t of ouj- biography was born March H, 1838, in Baiern, Ger- 
many. He cajne witli his j)arents to America, and when twenty- 
three years old. married Kathrina Leifert of the same nativity as 
himself. They became the parents of eight cluldren — four sons 
and four daughters — two of whom are dead. Those living are 
Adam, George, Fred, Maggie, Anna and Barbara. Mr. Arnold 
received a fair English and German education, and he and family 
belong to the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat in politics, 
and an honest, upright man. He has been t^uite successful 
financially, and has done much to l)enefit the county. 

JOHN AULENBACHER is a son of Frederick and Eva Au- 
lenbacher, who were both born in Germany in 1820, and came to 
the United States in I80I, locating first in Pittsburgh, Penn., 
Avhere the father worked eight years at the wagon-makers trade. 
They finally settled in Haysville, Ind., where they reside at the 
present time. John was born on the 13th of May, in Manchester, 
Penn., and at the age of fourteen years he Avent to Loogootee, Ind., 
and afterward to Huntingburgh, Ind. , and worked for nearly two 
years. March 5, 1878, he married Anna Nix, daughter of Eev. 
Nix of Haysville, and to them was born one son, who died when 
six weeks old. Mr. Aulenbacher's wife died August 9, 1879, and 
February 2, 1882, he married his present wife, Augusta Nix. 
They became the parents of two children: Gustave and George. 
Mr. and Mrs. Aulenbacher are members of the Lutheran Church, 
and in politics he is a Democrat. He is the first cobbler in Hays- 
ville and is doing a good business. 

PHILIP BAECHERisthe son of Jacob and Dorothea Baecher, 
who were natives of Germany, where they lived and died. The 
father died in 1875 and the mother in 1881. The subject of our 
sketch was born September 8, 1827, and came to this country in 
1852. He engaged in the shoe-maker's trade in Pittsburgh, Penn., 
continuing four years and then came to Haysville, Ind., where he 
continued at his trade thirteen years. September 11, 1857, lu 
married Elizabeth Sauerteig of Bainbridge Township. They be 
came the parents of these children : Margaretha, Johanna F., Mai - 
tin, John, Amelia K., Johanna S., Margaretha B., Barbara M. an < 
Frank J. On the 13th of October, 18()4, Mr. Baecher enlisted ii 
Company T, Forty-fourth Indiana Regiment and took an active 



BiOGIiAi'iilCAI. SK! i'-iii:>. i,./," 

pfiil in iiiauy ot tlu' h;ittles oi the wur. [a isr,:-, 1.,. ->.;., >!;■(■([ !.:.-, 
discharge unci retviruinl to liis wife anJ i;.!iiil\ . .lii I ip. 1 --li'l h,. 
started a hotel in Haysville and kept il tor ;> moal)'.;' of \ ..'•;! -,. 
At the present time he is keeping a -iocovn .oui sfdncii. T:; i-.j'- 
itics lie is a Democrat, and lie andl'ai/iily ht long to th • liUvhtTrj 
('liiirch. He is a member of th<^ G. A. C . -oid a, i.ioniinrnl ,-i:-- 
i/cMi of Havsville. 

MICHAEL BAUEKNFErXJ) a w- .u Democrat. ..f H.nrh{ 
son ToAvjiship. Dubois (.^o.. Ind.. was boi'ii in (rejinaiiv. April )''. 
1>~)2. and when twenty-three yearr' old, Jeft his natis*- lau ! .-r; 1 
came to the L'nited States to seek his fortune". After .som^^ tini.^ 
lie settled in Dul)oia County, Ind., and began ceJtivating a i'aria 
wliich he purchased. In LSTii he le-1 to Hymen's altar, Miss 
Kathrina Bauer, of Harbison Townsliij). Thev became th.- 
])arents of three children — two sons and one daughter; 3[ie';a-i. 
Phillip and Maggie. Mr. Banernfeinfrs parents. Stepheri and 
Margaretha Bauernfeind. came to the United States in 1 S:};1 and 
located in Harbison Townshi]>, where they are vrA Ua i:.>g. 
Michael and family are members of the llerman' Luther oi 
Clmrch and he has lieon quite successful as a farmer. 

•lOHN BEAl'N. a well-to-do farmer, of Har])i.son Township. 
Dui)ois Co.. Ind.. is a son of Adam and Barbai-a Braun. who 
were natives of Germany, where they lived and died. Our sub- 
ject was born in his iparent,;" native laml, August L lS:il, ami in 
I'^o'i he immigrated to the United States, landing at Neu Yorlc. 
and soon after came to Louisville. Ky., wdiere he remained about 
three and a half yearrs. In 1S52 Barbara Graener, a native of 
(4ermany, became his wife, and they became the parejits of tliese 
six children: Joim N., Michael, Andreas, Ehrhardt (deceased), 
Margaretha (wife of Bernhard Niggj and Barbara (wife of Henry 
Nenkam. Three years after marriage he moved with his family 
to Dubois County, and settled on a. farm which he has since ini- 
proved and cultivated until it is now one of the most fertile farms 
in the township. His educational advantages were quite limited. 
He and family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 
and his political views are decidedly Democratic. He has suc-- 
ceeded well as a farmer and is much respected l)v all. 

JOHN H. DAVIS was born July 14, ls4S. October 20. 
1N<»S, he married Josephine M. Vowel, of Harbison Townshij). 
They became the parents of seven children: Robert (deceased). 
Jennie E.. Nannie A., Benjamin B. (deceased), John L.. William 
H. anil Josephine C. Mr. Davis has a limited English educa- 
tion, but by contact with business life, he has overcome this to a 
considerable exteiit. He and family belong to tlie Christiftjj 
Church, and his political views are Democratic. February 2^, 
1S()4. he enlisted as a vojunteer soldier in Company I. TAventy- 



658 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

fourth Indiana Infantry, and served one year and nine months, 
receiving his discharge on the 12th of December, 1865. He 
fought bravely for his country, in the battles of Mobile and near 
Baton Rouge, and took an active part in many others. He is a 
successful farmer and prominent citizen. 

JOHN A. DAVISSON was born January 18, 1844, in Vin- 
ton County, Ohio. In August, 1861, he entered the military serv- 
ice and was mustered in September 17, as a private soldier in 
Company C, Thirty-sixth Ohio. He acted a noble part in the 
battles of Antietam, South Mountain, Mission Ridge, and in the 
struggle of the Shenandoah Valley. He re-enlisted as a veteran 
and served as corporal until his discharge, July 31, 1865. July 
24, 1869, he married Elizabeth Robisson of Crawford County, 
Ohio. Her death occurred August 4, 1870, and December 24,. 

1872, he married Johanna J. Divins of Martin County. To them 
were born six children: James M., Lee W., Lucetta J. and three 
deceased. Mr, Davisson and family are members of the Chris- 
tian Church and in politics he is a Democrat, and has served 
as constable of Dubois County, Ind., four years. He is quite a 
successful farmer and prominent man. 

W. M. DeMOTT, M. D., was born January 6, 1846, son of 
John and Susan DeMott, who were natives of Indiana and born 
in 1823 and 1827, respectively. They were married October 3, 
1844, and were the parents of seven children. Our subject re- 
mained at home until eighteen years old, when he enlisted as a 
volunteer soldier in the Tenth Indiana Cavalry, and participated 
•in the skirmishes of Pulaska, Tennessee, Decatur, i^labama, and 
Mussel Shoals. He fought bravely in the battle of Nashville, 
where about one-fourth of his regiment was captured. He re- 
ceived his discharge May 26, 18()5. On the 15th of January, 

1873, he married Anna Niehaus of Huntingburgh, Ind. , Six 
children were born to them: Eva, John, Bernhard, Leopold, 
Elizabeth, and one deceased. Dr. DeMott was educated in the 
public schools of Dubois County and attended the Rockport Col- 
legiate Institute one year and graduated from the College of 
Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 27, 1871. 
He is the only physician in Haysville, and has an extended 
practice; he and family belong to the Methodist Church, and he 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. 

PHILLIP DILLY is a son of Phillip and Mary Dilly, who 
were natives of Germany. The father, born January 16, 1816, 
and the mother March 25, 1816. They came to the United 
States in 1840 and 1845, respectively. They married in Cincin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and became the parents of three children, two still 
living: Phillip and Katherina. The mother died November 26, 
1873. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and worked at this 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 659 

business after coming to America. He still resides in Perry 
County, Ind. Our subject was born on the 29th of January, 
1847. At the age of twenty-four he married Barbara A. Leist- 
ner, of Harbison Township. To them were born three children: 
Kathrina, John G. and Elizabeth (deceased). Mr. Dilly and 
family are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a Demo- 
crat in politics and was elected to the office of assessor in 1872, 
and served three years. In 1875 he was elected trustee and 
faithfully discharged the duties of that office four years. In 
1879 he was re-elected assessor, and in 1884 was again elected 
to the office of trustee. He is postmaster of Kellerville and is 
the senior member of the firm of Dilly & Leistner, dealers in 
general merchandise; he is a successful business man and faith- 
ful office holder. 

JAMES P. HAKBISON is the son of James P. and Elizabeth 
Harbison. The father was born in Kentucky February 12, 1803, 
and the mother was born March 18,1808. They married in Ken- 
tucky, and in 1827, removed to Dubois County, Ind., where the 
father followed farming as an occupation. His death occurred 
August 18, 1841, and the mother died October 11, 1885. Our 
subject was born in Harbison Township, February 14, 1830, and 
lived with his parents until his marriage, which took place De- 
cember 19, 1851. His wife, Allatha Miller, was born born May 
13, 1834. This union was blessed with four children: Eva^ 
Emma, Lota B, and one not named. His wife died October 24, 
1880, and about a year later he married Mary J. Miller, his pres- 
ent wife. They belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
Mr. Harbison is a Eepublican, and has held the office of justice 
of the peace for twelve years. He is one of the old pioneer settlers 
of Harbison Township — a successful farmer and an honest and 
respected man. 

JOHN C. HARDEE was born in Germany, October 30, 
1843, son of Fred and Margaretha Harder, who were also natives 
of Germany. The father was born in 1808, and came to this 
country in 1840, and settled in Dubois County, Ind. At the age 
of twenty-two John C. married Barbara Angerer of Dubois 
County. To them were born ten children — six sons and four 
daughters: John L., George, Fred, Peter, Henry E., John D., 
Eva (deceased), Maggie, Anna and Kathrina. Mr. Harder is 
quite well educated, having received a good German education. 
He is an ardent Democrat, and a successful farmer and prominent 
man of Harbison Township. He and family are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and he is one of the old settlers of the county 
and has seen the country transformed from a wilderness inhabited 
by numerous wild animals, to well cultivated fields and comforta- 
ble homes. 



660 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTV. 

JOHN HERTEL was born in Baiern, Germany, February 
14, 1814. He came to the United States in 1843 landing at New 
Orleans, and finally settled in Dubois County, Ind., when.tlie 
country was a densely wooded tract of land, and when the settle- 
ments were few and far between. He remained there a short 
time and then removed to Louisville, Ky., where he remained five 
years ; then returned to Dubois County and began tilling the soil. 
November 20, 1847, he married Margaretha Arnold, a native of 
Baiern, Germany. This union remains childless. He and wife 
belong to the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, 
and is a successful farmer and a prominent man of Harbison 
Township. He is quite well educated in his native language but 
his English education is limited. 

JOHN H. HOFFMANN was born March 1, 1844, in Jasper, 
Ind. On reaching his majority he left his parents and soon after 
married. His father and mother were natives of Germany. The 
father died in this country but the mother is still living. Our 
subject received a ^ery limited education in German, and has 
followed the occupation of farming all his life and has for the 
last sixteen years run a threshing machine. Our subject married 
Anna Klebner, who resided in Harbison Township. Five chil- 
dren were born to them, all daughters: Barbara, Margaretha, 
Mary, Lizzie and Emma. He and family are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, and an honest 
and upright man, respected by all who know him. 

GEORGE HOFFMAN is the son of John G. F. and K. 
Hoffman, who were natives of Germany and who immigrated to 
the United States in 1848, and finally settled in Harbison Town- 
ship, Dubois Co., Ind. Here they were married and 2nade their 
home. The father was engaged in store keeping and the brewery 
business, and at last in farming. His death occurred August 2l), 
1883. The mother yet lives in Harbison Township. The sub- 
ject of our sketch was born May 4, 1854, in Harbison Township. 
Here he married Barbara Heebner, April 24, 1877. To them 
were born four children — two sons and two daughters: Harry, 
Jacob, Lizzie and one deceased. Mr. Hoffman and family are 
members of the Lutheran Church and in politics he is an ardent 
Democrat. He is one of the company that has leased several 
farms for the purpose of mining silver and lead. He has been 
quite successful as a farmer and trades quite extensively in stock. 
He is a prominent man and leading citizen of the to^vnship in 
which he lives. 

THOMAS P. HOPE is the son of James and Abigail Hope, 
who were natives of Kentucky. The father was born November 
9, 1789, and was a farmer by occupation, and after coming to 
Indiana served as justice of the peace until his death, a period of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



661 



twentT years. His wife died June 2, 1863. Our subject was 
born February 15. 1820, in Dubois County, Ind. May 29, 1849, 
he married Nancy Harris of Dubois County. Their union was 
blessed with six children — two sons and four daughters : Helen 
M.. wife of J. A. Chrisman. of Jasper. Ind.; Emily A., wife of 
Lyman Curry : Laura. Erastus E.. Lovicy and Thomas P. Thomas 
received as good a common school education as could be obtained 
in the schools of his boyhood. By hard work and economy he 
has become a well to do' and influeritial farmer. He and family 
belong to the United Brethren and Christian Chui'ches. In poli- 
tics he is a Democrat and has held the ofl&ce of trustee for one 
year. He is one of the old pioneers of the county and an honest 
and upright man. 

JOHN KELLEE. the founder of KellerTille. Ind.. was born 
August 23. Ib30, in Baiern. Germany. He came to the United 
States in 1852. and landed at New Tork. He then came to Louis- 
Tille. Ky.. where he remained three years, engaged in buying and 
selling wood. From Louis^dlle he came to Dubois County, Ind;, 
and October 4. 1854. he married Margaretha Hogan. native of 
Germany. In 1867 he started a general merchandise store in 
KellerTille. and was engaged theie as a merchant for fourteen 
years. He then sold out and engaged in farming. He and wife 
became the parents of eleven children — sis sons and five daugh- 
ters: John A.. John H.. Michael. Conrad. Lena. Lizzie. Marga- 
retha. Emma, George ( deceased ). Barbara and one not named. 
Mr. Keller received a good German education and can read 
English. He and family belong to the Lutheran Church. In 
politics he is a Democrat.' and has been a successful merchant and 
prominent farmer. 

JOHN C. KELLEE. farmer of Harbison To\vnship. Dubois 
Co.. Ind., is a son of John M. and Magdalena Keller, who were 
natives of Germany, where the mother was born July 18. 1830. 
They removed to the United States in l!s55, and settled on a farm 
which they began clearing and cultivating. Previous to this Mr. 
Keller was engaged in the shoe-maker's trade in Louisville. Ky., 
for some time. His death occurred October 26. 1884, and the 
mothers November 22. 1871. The subject of our sketch was 
born July 18, 1858, in Harbison Township. April 30. 1881, he 
married Lizzie Hagan, of Harbison Township. To them was 
born one child— a son— George C. Mr. Keller and wife are 
active members of the Lutheran Church, and he has a very good 
education in English and German. He is a Democrat and a 
good farmer and prominent man of Harbison Township. 

JOHN B. KEODEL is a son of John and Anna Krodol, who 
were natives of Germany and came to the United ^--tates iu 1842, 
and settled near Haysville, where our subject was i orn ■ ;tober 



662 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

24, 1848. The father, who was a farmer, died in 1875; the 
mother still lives. At the age of twenty-five John B. married 
Barbara Hoffman, who bore him five children — four sons and one 
daughter: George, John H., John A., John W. and Emma- M. 
He and family belong to the Lutheran Church, and in politics he 
is an ardent Democrat. He is at present engaged in the brewing 
business and farming. His large brewery was erected near 
Haysville in 1871. He has been quite successful in that occupa- 
tion, but at the present time devotes most of his time and 
attention to farming, in which he has succeeded well. He is a 
good farmer and an honest business man. 

REV. JOHN LAUTENSCHLAGER, pastor of the Lu- 
theran Church at Haysville, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, 
and came to America in 1854, residing first in Dayton, Ohio, 
where he remained two years. He then studied theology at the 
Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, four years and graduated 
in 1860. He began his pastoral duties in Greenville, Ohio, 
where he remained nine years, and then went to Irontown, Ohio, 
remaining there three years also, thence to Ashland, Ky., remain- 
ing six years. In 1884 he was called to Haysville where he is 
serving in his ministerial capacity at the present time. The con- 
stitution of the church at Haysville was framed by John Her- 
mann, and adopted March 3, 1849 ; Christian Nix succeeded him 
and served twenty-nine years. He was succeeded by Rev. Bauer, 
who remained two years. The corner-stone of the church was laid 
December 15, 1867, and dedicated September 13, 1868. There 
are about 140 voting members, and the church and property are 
valued at $3,000. 

JACOB LEISTNER, was born on the 9th of June, 1824, in 
Baiern, Germany. In 1841 he left his native land and immi- 
grated to the New World. He landed at Baltimore, Md., and 
finally settled in Dubois County, Ind. February 9, 1846, 
he was married to Elizabeth B. Heebner, a native of Baiern, Ger- 
many, and to them were born ten children — four sons and six 
daughters: John G., George, Adam (deceased), Conrad (de- 
ceased), Barbara A. (wife of Phillip Dilly), Margaretha (wife of 
Jacob Nigg),Kathrina, Mary (vsdfe of Daniel Neukam), Elizabeth 
B. and Anna M. January 28, 1884, the mother departed this 
life. Mr. Leistner received a fair German education, and in pol- 
itics he is a Democrat, and [is one of Dubois County's most suc- 
cessful farmers. He and family are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and he is an honest and respected man. 

JOHN G. LEISTNER, of the firm of Dilly & Leistner, is 
the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Leistner (elsewhere written), he 
was born January 19, 1849, in Harbison Township, Dubois 
County, Ind., and remained with his parents on the farm until 



BlUGRArinCAL SKETCHES. 663 

thirty-two years old. December. 1883. he married Lizzie Lottes 
of Harbison Township. He and wife belong to the Lutheran 
Church. Owing to the undeveloped schools of early times he 
received a limited education. In politics he is a Democrat. 
September, 1881. he purchased a one-half interest in a general 
merchandise store at Keller^dlle. and has worked at the business 
ever since. The firm is doing a paying business, and he is a 
good business man and excellent citizen. 

CONRAD LEITZ was born December 19, 184:9, in Har- 
bison Township. At the age of twenty-one years lie left home, 
and began working for himself. In July. 1874. he married Anna 
K. Grossman, a native of Harbison Township, and they became 
the parents of six chikb-en — three sons and three daughters : Con- 
rad, George. Frederick, Kundel (deceased), Margaretha (de- 
ceased), and Eva. He and family are members of the Lutheran 
Chui'ch, and in politics he is a Republican. He is engaged in 
farming, and is also one of six men who have leased several 
farms for the purpose of mining. He has fine prospects for ore 
on his own farm in Harbison ToAvnship. Mr. Leitz is a farmer, 
but at times engages in the mason trade and carpentering. He 
is a member of the A. O. U. W.. and is much respected for his 
many good qualities. 

GEORGE LEITZ was born January l-t, 1851, and remained 
with his parents until he was twenty-five years old, assisting 
them on the farm. On the 30th of November, 1875, he married 
Margaretha Hoffmann, of Harbison Township. To them were 
born five children — three sons and two daughters: Joseph P., 
John A., John E., Margaretha and Barbara Emeline (deceased). 
Mr. Leitz and family are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
in politics he is a Democrat of long standing. He has a good 
farm in Harbison Township, furnished with fair buildings. He 
is quite successful in business, and is much respected by all who 
know him. 

JOHN LEITZ is a son of John and Margaretha Leitz. who 
were born in Germany. The father came to this country in 1845» 
and the mother some years later. The father died in April. 1876. 
The mother still lives in Harbison Township. Our subject was 
born September 21, 1858, in Dubois County, and in 1878, he 
married Elizabeth Neukom, native of the county. Three chil- 
dren were born to them — one son and two daughters: John W., 
Barbara, and Maggie. He and family belong to the Lutheran 
Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, and is also a member 
of the A. O. U. W., ol Portersville. Ind. He is one of the first 
settlers of Portersville, and engaged in the grocery, saddlery and 
saloon business, and also keeps a hotel, doing a good business in 
that line. Mr. Leitz is one in a company that has purchased a 



664 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUKTY. 

lease of a farm that promises to be very rich in minerals. He 
has had some of the ore assayed, and in every ton of raw mate- 
rial, were found eight ounces of silver. South of Haysville, he 
also contemplates opening a region that promises to be very rich 
in the production of lead. He is a wide-awake energetic man, 
and is very successful in whatever he undertakes. 

FREDEEICK MANN is the third son of Wolfgang and Mar- 
garetha Mann, who were natives of Germany, the father born in 
1811, and the mother in 1818. They came to the United States 
in 1841, married and settled in Dubois County, Ind. ; June 24, 
1866, the father died and since that time the mother has lived with 
our subject, who was born January 27, 1847. August 27, 1868, 
he married Margaretha Hoffmann, of Harbison Township. They 
became the parents of eight children — six sons and two daughters : 
Frederick, Eva, George' and Margaretha (deceased), and John, Will- 
iam, George and Loraine, living. Mr. Mann owns and cultivates 
a very large farm, on which are excellent and beautiful buildings. 
He and family belong to the Lutheran Church, and he is a Dem- 
ocrat and a prominent and successful business man. 

GEORGE MEYER is the «on of Frederick and Margaretha 
Meyer, who were natives of Germany and born in 1811 and 1821, . 
respectively. They were married in the old country and immi- 
grated to the United States in 1842, landing at New Orleans and 
finally locating in Dubois County, Ind., where the father farmed. 
He died in August, 1883, and the mother still lives with her son 
Michael. George was born October 20, 1843, and when nineteen 
years old enlisted in Company K., Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteers. 
He fought bravely in the battles of Knoxville, Jonesboro, Zolli- 
coffer, Bean Station, Paul's Valley and Mulberry Gap and was 
with Sherman on his march to the sea. His health finally failed 
him and he was sent to the hospital and received his discharge 
August 8, 1864. He was in Ford's Theatre the night President 
Lincoln was assassinated. June 16, 1867, he married Margaretha 
Freyberger of New Albany, Ind. They became the parents of 
eight children: John S., George A., John A., George W., John 
E., John L., Eva and Anna. Mr. Meyer is at present engaged 
in cabinet-making, carpentering, farming, making shingles and 
manufacturing about 1,000 gallons of molasses annually. He 
and family belong to the Lutheran Church and in politics he is a 
Democrat. 

MARTIN MEYER, is a son of Christopher and Ursula 
Meyer, who were born in Germany in 1809 and 1815, respect- 
ively. They came to this country in 1841 and landed at Balti- 
more, and afterward settled on a farm in Dubois County, Ind., 
where they remained some time and then moved to Crawford 
County, Ind., where they yet live. Our subject was born June 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 667 

2, 1840. He remained with his parents until the breaking out 
of the Eebellion. when he wished to enlist as a regular volunteer 
Boldier, but owing to his youth, he was not accepted. August 25, 
1804, he was mustered as a regular soldier in Company A, Forty- 
ninth Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and served over a 
year, receiving his discharge September 18. 180)5. Margaretha 
Weidenhammer became his wife May 2(). 1808. To them were 
born seven children: Andrew, Barbara, Anna K. (deceased), 
Mary W., Anna, Michael and one not named. Mr. Meyer is en- 
gaged in farming, and in connection with this engages at times 
in carpentering and harness-making. He is also a fair musi- 
cian, which he acquired without the aid of an instructor. He 
and family are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a 
Democrat. 

HENRY MEYER is the son of John and Christina Meyer, 
who were natives of Germany, and born in 1807 and 1810, 
respectively. They came to the United States in 1844, landed at 
New Orleans, and finally settled in Dubois County, Ind., where 
the mother died July 10, 1851. The father yet lives with bis son 
Henry. The subject of our sketch was born April 10, 1847, in 
Harbison Township, Dubois Co.. Ind. Here he passed his boy- 
hood days on the farm, hard at work. He received his English 
education in the public schools of his native State and received a 
somewhat limited education in Germany, in subscription schools. 
December 14, 1871, he married Barbara Kiefner, of Haysville, 
Ind. They became the parents, of seven children — five sons and 
two daughters : Conrad. John A., Martin, Maggie, Amelia, Fred- 
erick W. and John. Mr. Meyer and family are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a stanch Democrat and a 
respected citizen. 

JOHN L. OPEL is a son of John and Margaretha Opel, 
natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1837, and 
settled in Dubois County, Ind. The father, who was born in 
1803, was one of the leading men of Jasper, doing business in 
groceries, farming and live-stock; he died in 1874. and his wife 
in 1872. John L. was born in Dubois County, May 3, 1843, and 
at the age of twenty-three left home and began farming and keep- 
ing saloon. Shortly after he engaged in the butchering business 
in Petersburg, Ind., where he remained four years, and then went 
to Washington and engaged in the same business; he left there 
after a short time and finally came to Haysville, where he has 
been retailing liquors and following his old trade. Barbara 
Doernhoefer became his wife September 5, 1805. They are the 
parents of eight children: George W., Sophia, Leander, Eliz- 
abeth, John, Frederick, Mathilda (deceased) and Caroline. He 
and family are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics 



668 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

he is a Democrat, and a member of tlie A. O. U. W. He has 
served as constable two years, and in 1881, was elected to the 
office of assessor, which position he has held satisfactorily four 
years. 

A. T. POTTS is the son of John L. and Sarah Potts. The 
father was born in Tennessee in 1818, and died December 22. 
1883. The Subject of our sketch was born November, 11, 1847. 
in Lost River Township, Martin Co., Ind. January 21, ISC)!), he 
married Susan Rutherford, of Martin County. To their uni<^n 
were born six children — two sons and four daughters: Virgin 
M., wife of John Drabing; William H., Sarah C, Susan K., Ida 
and Thomas R. Mr. Potts is a member of the Christian Church, 
and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he is a warm 
Republican and is a notary public, and holds the office of post- 
master at Hickory Grove, Ind. ; he served one term as constable 
of Harbison Township, giving the best satisfaction; he is at 
present a partner in the firm of Potts & Potts, at Hickory Grove, 
dealers in dry goods, notions, groceries, boots and shoes. They 
are doing a paying business. 

DANIEL PREUSZ was born in Germany on the l()th of 
September, 1822. January 1, 1839, he left his native land and 
came to America, landing at Baltimore, and after a short period 
came to Indiana and settled in Harbison Township, Dubois Coun- 
ty, where he has since lived and followed the occupation of 
farming. August 27, 1849, he married Barbara Neukam, a na- 
tive of Germany, who bore him nine children — three sons and six 
daughters: George, John, Thomas, Mary (wife of Edward 
Stucker), Maggie, Barbara (wife of John Schott), Lizzie (wife 
of George Bretwieser), Katie and Kunigunda. Mr. Preusz and 
family are 'members of the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's 
Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and served two years as 
trustee of Columbia Township. He obtained a good German 
education, but his childi-en are well educated in both English and 
German. November 13, 1884, he was appointed postmaster of 
Ludlow, which office he at present holds. He is one of the early 
pioneers of Dubois County, and one of its most prominent 
citizens. 

JOHN RUCKRIEGEL, only son of George and Margaretha 
Ruckriegel, was born February 2, 1841, in Dubois C'ounty, Ind. 
The parents were natives of Germany, and shortly after coming 
to this country the father died. John staid with his parents 
until 18G4, when he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-fourth 
Indiana Volunteers. He fought bravely in many bloody battles, and 
at the close of the war retui'ned to his native home. In 18(j(> he 
married Lizzie Brietboch, of Boone Township. To them were 
born these children: Maggie (deceased), Henry, Maggie, Mary, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 669 

Eva, Frederick and Adam. Mr. Ruckriegel has a fair German 
education. In politics he is a Democrat, but liberal in his views. 
He and family belong to the Lutheran Church. As a business 
man he is very successful. He is one of the old pioneers, and a 
veteran soldier of Harbison Township. 

ADAM EUDOLPH, of the firm of Rudolph Bros., Hays- 
ville. Ind., is a son of Henry and Elizabeth Rudolph, natives of 
Germany. They married in Pennsylvania, and were the parents 
of nine children. The old folks are still living near Portersville, 
where our subject was born June 1, 1857. At the age of twenty- 
four years he engaged as clerk with his brother in the grocery and 
dry goods business in Portersville, continuing in that capacity 
two years, when he became a member of the firm. He was mar- 
ried. April 27, 1884, to Margaretha Huebner, of Harbison Town- 
ship. They became the parents of one child, Cordelia. Mr. 
Rudolph received a good education in the public schools of Du- 
bois County, and afterward attended the Commercial College of 
Evansville, Ind. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
and he is a Democrat in politics. He is doing a good business as 
a merchant, and is one of Haysville's leading men. 

HENRY RUEKRSCHNECK, native of Germany, is the son 
of Thomas and Caroline Ruekrschneck who were born in Germany 
in 1820 and 1821, respectively, where they were married and 
always lived. The mother died in 1884. but the father, who is a 
shoe-maker, still lives there, hale and hearty. Henry, our sub- 
ject, was born August 16, 1844 and immigrated to this country in 
1869. He landed in New York and finally settled in Hayesville, 
Ind., where he engaged in making boots and shoes. Julv 1, 
1868, he married Sophia Faerber, born January 22, 1845. * To 
them were born six children — three sons and three daughters : Liz- 
zie, Anna, William, Katie, George and Ehrhardt. Mr. Ruekr- 
schneck obtained a fair German education in his native land, and 
has acquired his English education through self-exertion in this 
country. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and was appointed 
postmaster of Hayesville, August 3, 1874 and has held the posi- 
tion eleven years, giving good satisfaction. He and family belong 
to the Lutheran Church. 

MARTIN ZEIGLER was born June 20, 1858, in Baiern, 
Germany. In 1860 he with his parents left his native land and 
came to the United States to make his home. They settled in 
Dubois County, Ind., and began tilling the soil. Martin remained 
with his parents until his marriage January 25, 1879, to Elizabeth 
Harder, of Harbison Township. They became the parents of 
four children — three sons and one daughter ♦ Lawrence, George 
W., Fred and Margaretha. Mr. Zeigler is an enterprising and 
energetic young man and has done much for the improvement of 



670 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

the county. He has received a very good German and Ejiglisli 
education. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church 
and in politics he is a warm Democrat and is a prominent young 
man of the countv. 



FERDINAND TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN ALTMEYER, born July 2, 1846, is a son of ireter 
Joseph and Margaret (Hauser) AUmeyer, natives of Germany. 
Mr. Altmeyer, Sr., came to this country in his youth and lived for 
several years in Allegheny County, Penn. Froui there he moved 
to Dubois County, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land in Fer- 
dinand Township. He died July 9, 1853. The mother is still 
living and is about sixty-four years old. The subject of our 
sketch received a common school education and remained at home 
working for his mother until he reached his majority. In Octo- 
ber, 18()8, he was married to Rosena Jackoby, a native of Allegheny 
County, Penn. They have seven children: Margaret, Peter, 
Frances, Susan, Mary, Joseph and Paul. After marriage he lo- 
cated on the old homestead, which he bought, and which he has 
since increased to 120 acres. He is an industrious hard-working 
farmer and deserves success. In politics he is a Democrat cast- 
ing his first vote for Seymour and Blair. The family are Cath- 
olics. 

J. H. BEQKMANN was born in Ferdinand, Ind., March 12, 
1842. He is a son of John and Anna M. (Wheeler) Beckmann. 
Our subject was the fii-st child born in Ferdinand. He received 
a common school education and worked in his father's store until 
he reached the age of seventeen. He then worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade for about three years. During the Rebellion he 
enlisted in Company E, Ninety-first Indiana Infantry, and served 
for three years. He took an active part in the battle of Nash- 
ville, and was in the entire Atlanta campaign and many minor 
engagements. He remained till the close of the war, then 
returned home and began working for his father. In 1868 he 
started in business for himself, establishing a merchandise store 
in Ferdinand. May 12, 1868, he married Kate Schmid, daugh- 
ter of Henry and Catharine Schmid. They have one child, Berta. 
Mr. Beckmann remained in the mercantile business for twelve 
years. He then sold out to his brother in 1880, and commenced 
dealing in lumber. In connection with this he speculated in 
tobacco and grain, and now carries on the three lines of business 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 671 

with marked success. He handles, on an. average, 600,000 
pounds of tobacco, 1,000,000 feet of lumber and 100,000 bushels 
of grain annually. He is a stanch Democrat, and he and his wife 
belong to the Catholic Church. 

JOHN G. BECKMANN, merchant of Ferdinand, Ind., was 
born January 4, 1852, in Dubois County, Ind. He is a son of 
John G. and Anna M. (Wheeler) Beckmann, who were born in 
Germany. His father came to the United States in 1836, and 
some time after settled in Dubois County, which he afterward 
made his home. His death occurred December 25, 1870, aged 
sixty-one. The mother died February 10, 1880, at sixty-four 
years. The subject of our sketch was reared at home, and at the 
age of twelve entered St. Meinrad College, which he attended for 
one year. He was for some time a clerk in a large dry goods 
house in Louisville, Ky., where he worked one year. He then 
came home and worked in a store belonging to his father until 
1870, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, and attended St. Mary's 
• College for six months. Owing to the death of his father, he 
returned home and some time after hired out as a commercial 
traveler for a Louisville house. He continued in this business 
for three years. August 22, 1875, he married Lizzie Snyder, 
daughter of Charles and Catharine Snyder, to whom four children 
were born: Anna Mary, Charles Kobert (deceased), Ella and 
John Charles. After marriage he worked some time for his 
brother, Harman, and in 1877 he commenced buying and shipping 
poultry to New Orleans. About 1878 he became a leading mer- 
chant of Ferdinand. He .is also an agent for several kinds of 
farming implemeitts, and is doing a profitable business. Mr. 
Beckmann, with his wife, is a member of the Catholic Church, 
and is a Democrat in politics. 

JOHN B. BEINCKMANN was born September 30, 1838, in 
Hanover, Germany, and is a son of John B. and Mary Ann 
(Lindermeyer) Brinckmann, who were natives also of Germany, 
The father immigrated to this country in 1845, locating at Louis- 
ville, Ky., where he remained about seven years and then moved 
to Fulda, Spencer Co., Ind., where he bought eighty acres of land 
and began tilling the soil. His death occurred January 21, 1881, 
at the age of eighty years, and his wife's in 1846. Our subject 
lived with his parents on the farm until he reached his majority, 
when he began working for himself. March 16, 1858, he mar- 
ried Mary Anna Miller, a native of the State of Ohio. To them 
were born eight children, theee now living: Margaret, Lizzie, 
Frank. John, Louisa, Sophia, Peter and Susan. After marriage 
he moved to Louisville and hired out as a teamster. He lived 
there two years and then came to Dubois County, Ind., and 
bought forty acres of land in Ferdinand Township and forty 



672 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

.ftcres in Spencer County. He has improved his farm very much 
;and now has a nice home. He is a Democrat, casting his first 
vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He and his family are members 
of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN BAUNLEIN was born in Germany, August 24, 1823, 
and is a son of Michael and Frances (Bowes) Baunlein, who 
were also born in Germany. The father followed farming as an 
occupation, and remained in his native country until his death, 
which occurred in 1851. His wife died three years later, about 
■sixty years of age. The subject of our biography received a 
<;ommon school education in his native land and remained at 
home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he enlisted as 
a soldier and served six years. In 1852 he came to the United 
States and located near Ferdinand, Dubois Co., Ind., where he 
has since lived. September 24, 1853, he married Elizabeth 
Krapf, a native of Germany, to whom three childi-en have been 
bom:' John (deceased), Andrew and Catharine. By industry 
and close attention to business, he now owns 140 acres of land. 
He has erected him a fine dwelling house, built good barns, and 
added other improvements. In politics he is a Democrat, having 
cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He and his family 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

JOSEPH DROLL, one of the old settlers of Dubois County, 
Ind., -was born November 8, 1822, in Germany. He is a son of 
AntoD and Margaret (Droll) Droll, both of whom were natives 
of Germany. Our subject's father came to this country in 1835, 
locating in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he lived for five years and 
then moved to Dubois County and bought eighty acres of land, 
whOTiifae remained until his death, which occurred in June, 186G. 
Hiii wife died in October, 1839. Our subject received a common 
scboei education in his native land, and came with his parents to 
this country when he was about twelve years of age; he made 
his feome with them until he was twenty-five, when he went to 
Loa^inlle and hired out as a bar-keeper, at which he worked for 
seven years, the last year working for himself. In March, 1850, 
he married Mary Josephine Schum, a native of Germany, to 
whoiafour children were born: Catherine, Alexander (deceased), 
Mary O. and Margaret. In 1840 he moved to Dubois County 
and worked on his father's farm during the summer seasons, and 
for two winters went to Louisiana and chopped cord wood. He 
again tried farming the old place, but owing to ill health he was 
obliged to abandon that business. He then moved to Hawsville, 
Ky., where he kept hotel for one year, at the end of which he 
returned to the farm where he has since lived. Between 1843 
and 1845 he bought eighty acres of land where he has since 
lived. Mr. Droll is a Democrat, and he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



673 



MICHAEL EGLER was born February 2, 1827, in Prussia, 
and is one of a family of four children born to Wendel and Eliz- 
abeth Egler, both of whom were natives of Prussia. His father 
left his native country and came to the United States, locating in 
Dubois County, Ind., where he bought eighty acres of land and 
began tilling the soil. Here he remained until his death, which 
occurred about 1840, and his wife's about 1859. Our subject re- 
ceived a common school education in his native country and came 
to America when about ten years of age, and made his home with 
his parents until their deaths. He followed steam -boating for 
three winters, meeting with fair success. April 12, 1855, he 
married Susana Trexler, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., to whom 
eleven children were born: Joseph, Michael, Frances, Mary, 
Catherine, Josephine, Lulu, Jacob, Wendel, Rosa and* Bertha. 
After marriage he located on the old home place, where he yet 
resides. By good management he now owns 440 acres in Dubois 
County. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and family are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

ANDREW J. FISHER, postmaster at Ferdinand, was born 
October 21, 1853, in Connecticut. He is a son of John and Bar- 
bara (Gutting) Fisher, the former a native of Switzerland, and 
the latter of Bavaria, Germany. His father was a cabinet-maker, 
but on coming to the United States, in 1840, he followed the oc- 
cupation of farming. About 1859 he removed to Spencer County, 
Ind., and bought eighty-five acres of land, on \^hich he still re- 
sides. His wife died January 2, 1883, seveniy-two years old. 
The subject of this sketch received a common school education. 
He lived with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age. 
In 1869 he commenced learning the art of photography, in Rock- 
port, Ind. He soon began business for himself, and had good 
success. October 9, 1877, he married Catharine Rickelmann, 
born January 21, 1856, in Ferdinand, Ind. They have one child, 
Edwin J., born October 30, 1878. Mr. Fisher bought a 
home in Ferdinand soon after he was married, and has since been 
keeping a bar-room in that place. He is a Republican, casting 
his first vote for Garfield. In 1880 he took the census of Ferdi- 
nand Township. 

JOHN B. GOHMANN, merchant and hotel proprietor, of 
Ferdinand, Ind., was born July 25, 1826, in Prussia, Germany. 
His parents, Theodore and Mary Ann (Eilker) Gohmann, were 
natives of Germany, and came to America in 1836. The father 
died in Washington, Ind., in 1838. The mother died July 
16, 1863. The subject of our biography received but little 
education, owing to the early death of his father. At the 
age of fourteen he commenced as an apprentice making cig- 
ats, at Louisville, Ky. He worked at the business for about 



674 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

seven years, when he hired out as a salesman for a wholesale 
liquor and cigar house in Louisville. He worked at this business 
for about six years, accumulating some property. July 25, 1847, 
he married Mary Ann Frances Stoever, a native of Germany, who 
bore him three children, all of whom are deceased. In 1853 he 
moved to Dubois County, Ind., and bought a house and two lots 
in Ferdinand, where he has since resided. His wife died March 
25, 1855, and April 5, 1856, he married Augusta Bunke. They 
have two children: Clara and Emily. His wife dying May 21, 
1860, he married Mina Hanhart, July 26, 1860. Seven children 
were born to them: John, Albert, Theodor Frederick, Josephine 
Caroline, Edward Beta, Eosa Augusta and Eugene Otto. Mr. 
Gohmann began keeping a general merchandise store, at which 
he is now engaged. In 1860 he started a hotel, known as the 
" Indiana Hotel." In 1868 he was elected superintendent of 
some mineral lands that were discovered southeast of Ferdinand. 
The mine was worked for some time, when it was abandoned, 
owing to the difficulty of transportation. In 1854 he was appoint- 
ed postmaster at Ferdinand, and held the office for twenty years, 
but not without intermission. In 1875 he was nominated and 
elected county commissioner, and held that office for three years. 
His wife then filled the office as postmistress. Mr. Gohmann made 
an efficient officer, and in 1878 was re-elected the second time. 
He and his wife are members of the Eoman Catholic Church. 

CHARLES GOEPEICH, one of the old settlers of Dubois 
County, Ind., was born November 12, 1829, in Germany, and is a 
son of George J. and Frances ( Wallicht) Goeprich, botli of whom 
were natives of Germany. They died in the old country, the 
father in 1835, and the mother in 1833. The subject of our 
sketch was left an orphan when but a small boy. He lived with 
his sister and aunt, and worked as a farmer until he was eighteen 
years of g.ge, when he came to the United States, and located in 
Dubois County, and hired out as a day laborer, working one year, 
when he went to Louisville, Ky., and worked on a farm nearly 
two years. He then began working on a steandjoat that sailed on 
the Ohio, Mississippi, Eed and Missouri Eivers, and continued 
at that wo7'k for upward of six years. February 21, 1854, he 
married (Catherine Deering, a native of (n iiuany, to wJiojn elevea 
children were born: Mary. Leonnrd. I]l"/.;ibpt]i, Frances, .)■.-*■(.!;, 
John. Charles. Catherine, Paul. Iindipl. an.! Susan. .\ittr!,i- 
marriage he returned to Dubois <'<-)!;!t\ .lul nought eigjitv' ;,, 
of land, whi'i-e i>. } located inu] roiiniicncrtl his career as a f.-" 
By good managt^iiifiif lie ];o\-. ■:\KU-'-)\li> .•■'•c -. a!! in i'.-ii!':. 
Townslii]-*. Ill |;oiin,-s )i.' is a J)-(- .-ImI m;.; ■ '^l i.i- 
are members of ili.' C-itlioiu- ( ;,mi 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 675 

GERHAKD B. HOPPENJANS was' born in September, 
1821, in Hanover, Germany. His parents were Bernard and 
Mary Hoppenjans, both of whom were born in Germany. They 
came to this country in 1847, and settled in Dubois County, Ind., 
where the father died March 8, 1848, in his sixty-fourth year. 
The mother's death occurred May 15, 1870, at the age of sixty- 
eight. The subject of our sketch received a common school edu- 
cation in his native land, and came to this country in 1840, and 
settled in Dubois County, where he bought eighty acres of land, 
which he has since increased to 197, in Ferdinand Towiaship, 
where he now lives. May 6, 1852, he married Cecelia Anlage, 
who was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1824. They have one 
child, named Henry. He is living in Ferdinand, and is running 
a grist-mill, and is township trustee. Our subject's wife died 
April 30, 1854, and April 2, of the next year, he married Mary 
Dall, a native of Germany, to whom four children were born: 
Herman, Anna, Benjamin and Chrysostomus. Mr. Hoppenjans 
is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Pierce. He and his fam- 
ily are members of the Catholic Church. 

HENEY HOPPENJANS was born April 28, 1854, in Du- 
bois County, Ind. His parents, Gerhard Bernard and Cecelia 
(Anlage) Hoppenjans, were natives of Germany, who came to 
this country and located in Louisville, Ky. About 1851 Mr, 
Hoppenjans came to Dubois County, and bought 120 acres of 
land. He yet lives on the old place, and is sixty-five years of 
age. His wife died April 30, 1854. The subject of our sketch 
received a common school education, and in addition to this was 
three years a student in the St. Meinrad College, in Spencer 
County. At the age of eighteen he became a teacher, and has 
taught each winter since, with one exception. February 11, 1879, 
he married Mary E. Axe, born February, 1862, in Ohio. They 
have three children ; Bernard H., Mary Cecelia and Henrietta. 
In 1881 he bought two lots, and erected a fine dwelling bouse 
and a large flouring-mill in April, 1885. John W. Willmei 
owns a half interest in the mill at the present time. In politics 
he is a Democrat, and was elected township trustee in 1884, for 
the term of two years, which office he has v^ery successfully 
filled. 

ANDREW HASSFURTHER, one of the old settlers of 
Dubois County, Ind., was born March 14, 1828, in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, and is a son of Matthew and Eve (Helmuth) Hassfurther, 
who were born in Germany. His father was a farmer, and pos- 
sessed quite a talent for music, playing on almost any kind of 
instrument. He immigrated to America in 1S40 and settled in 
Dubois County, where he bought eighty-six acres of land. His 
death occurred June, 1869, and his widow's February 10 of the 



676 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

following year. Our subject came to America with his parents 
when twelve years of age, and made his home with them until 
his marriage to Barbara Gessner, August 5, 1855. They have 
five children : Elizabeth, Mattie, John, John Peter and Mary. 
After his marriage he settled on the old homestead, where he now 
lives. His father gave him forty acres of good land, and by en- 
ergy and industry he now owns 205 acres, all of which make him 
a good home. He inherits his father's taste for music, and is 
quite a skillful player on nearly all instruments. Mr. Hass- 
further is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

JACOB JOCHEM, one of the enterprising young farmers of 
Ferdinand Township, was born February 15, 1848, in Dubois 
County, Ind., and is one of a family of ten children born to Nicholas 
s.nd Maggie (Louer) Jochem. His father was born November 2, 
1815, in Hanover, Germany, and was a farmer by occupation. He 
immigrated to the United States in 1847 and settled in Dubois 
County, where he bought 105 acres of land and where he yet 
lives. Our subject was reared at home, attending school for four 
years. He made his home with his people until he was twenty- 
three years old. January 31, 1872, he married Mary Stroumeyer. 
A native of Indiana. They have had born to them five children: 
Maggie, Barbara, Katie, John (deceased), and Mary (deceased). 
After marriage he located on eighty acres in Ferdinand Township 
which was given him by his father and which has since been his 
home. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for 
Horace Greeley. His wife died February 28, 1882. He and 
family belong to the Catholic Church. 

CHARLES KNAPP, wagon and carriage manufacturer, was 
born September 36, 1835, in Germany, and is a son of Frank and 
Anna M, Knapp, both of whom were also natives of Germany. 
His father carried on farming as an occupation, and in connection 
with this worked at blacksmithing. He is yet living at the age of 
eighty-one. His mother died in 1867. Our subject after receiv- 
ing a common school education, worked in his father's shop and 
on the farm. At the age of eighteen he came to the United 
States, locating in Louisville, Ky., where he remained upward of 
four years, working as a blacksmith. In 1854 he removed to 
Spencer County, Ind., and worked in Fulda and Rockportfor one 
year, at the end of which he came to Dubois County and settled 
in Ferdinand. In 1857 he bought eighty acres of land, and a 
year later he bought two lots in the village. September 8, 1868, 
he married Jacobin Hees, born May, 1838, in Spencer County, 
Ind., to whom were born twelve children: Martin, Mary, Lizzie, 
Lena, John, Theresa, Bertha, Frankie, August (deceased), Har- 
mon (deceased), Johanna (deceased) and Eosa (deceased). By 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 677 

good management Mr. Knapp now owns eighty acres of land and 
nine lots, and five acres of land in Ferdinand. In politics he is a 
Democrat, casting his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He 
and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

ANTHONY KELLER, one of the prominent farmers of Du- 
bois County, Ind., was born January 16, 1847, in the county 
where he now lives. He is a son of Polycarp and Margaret 
(Spann) Keller, both of whom were natives of Germany. His 
father followed farming as an occupation and came to this coun- 
try about 1837, and lived in the State of New York a few years, 
when he came to Dubois County and bought 120 acres of land 
three miles east of Jasper where he now lives at the good old age 
of seventy-eight years. His wife died December 27, 1877, in her 
fifty-eighth year. The subject of our biography received a com- 
mon school education, and worked for his parents until he was 
twenty-five years of age. February 8, 1870, he married Mary 
Rice, a native of Jasper, Dubois Co., Ind., to whom seven chil- 
dren were born: Mary, Frances, Katie, Anthony, Susan, Theresa 
and Leo Joseph. After marriage, Mr. Keller bought 239 acres 
of land in Ferdinand Township, where he moved and has since 
lived. He is a skillful and industrious farmer, and deserves his 
good fortune. He is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Hor-. 
ace Greeley. He and his family are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

JOSEPH G. KIPPANBROCK was born April 6,1826,in Prus- 
sia, Germany, and is a son of George G. and Mary Ann (Richter) 
Kippanbrock, both of whom are natives of Prussia. His father 
was a farmer by occupation, and lived in his native country until 
his death in 1880, at the age of eighty-four years. His mother 
died in 1850, fifty-seven years old. Our subject remained in his 
native country until he reached his majority, when he came to the 
United States, stopping in Toledo, Ohio, a short time, thence to 
Pennsylvania, working on a canal boat one summer, thence to 
Carbondale, N. J., and there worked on a railroad for one 
winter, at the end of which he went to Michigan City, Ind., and 
worked at the same business for five months, when he "pulled up 
stakes" and went to St. Louis, Mo. He remained in the last 
named place only a short time, when he went to Louisville, Ky., 
and drove dray for one year. From there he went to Caunelton, 
Perry Co., Ind., and worked in the cotton factory for four years. 
He then came to Ferdinand, Dubois Co., Ind., and January 15, 
1857, he married Mary A. (Hidemann) Rerchted, a native of 
Germany. To them were born four children: Josephine (de- 
ceased), John, Benjamin and George. After marriage Mr. Kip- 
panbrock bought 120 acres of land in Ferdinand Township, on 
which he has since lived. He has good buildings on his farm, 



678 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

and is doing well. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

HENRICH KITTEN, who was born September 19, 1828, in 
Prussia, is a son of Henry and Theresa (Heke) Kitten, both of 
whom were born in Prussia. His father, who was a wooden-shoe- 
maker by occupation, leit his native land in 1850, and came to 
the New AVorld, settling in Dubois County, Ind. He lived with 
his son Joseph about three years, and died July, 1853. Our 
subject received a common school education, and worked on the 
farm until he was about eighteen years old, when he began learn- 
ing his father's trade. He made shoes for two years, and in 
18i8 he came to America, and settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, 
where he worked as a day laborer, breaking iron ore. He lived 
in that county two years, and then came to Dubois County, Ind., 
and bought 80 acres of land which, by good management, he has 
since increased to 200 acres. April 5, 1853, he married Mary 
Thieman, a native of Germany, to whom seven children have 
been born: Anna (deceased), Henry, Joseph (deceased), Caro- 
IIbb (deceased), Theresa, Mary and Catharine. In politics Mr. 
Kitten is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

FLORENkS kitten, mechanic, of Ferdinand, was born Sep- 
tember, 1810, in Prussia, and is a son of Henry and Theresa 
(Heke) Kitten, both of whom were born in Prussia. His father 
was a wooden-shoe-maker by occupation. He left his native 
country in 1850, and came to Dubois County, Ind., where he 
Ir^d^^ith his son Joseph for about three years. He died in July, 
^fPlWi, and the mother in the spring of 1859. The subject of our 
"fekeitch was reared at home, receiving a common school education. 
He came to this country with his parents when about ten years 
old, and workoj^n the farm until he was nineteen years of age, 
when he abandoned farming and commenced learning the carpen- 
ter's trade, at which he worked for six years. In 1868 he mar- 
ried Kate Laugis, a native of Spencer County, Ind., to whom one 
child was born, named Joseph. After marriage he commenced 
manufacturing threshing machines, at which he is still engaged. 
In 1882 he commenced the manufacture of traction engines, and 
has built three. He invented and made the entire machine, thus 
forcibly illustrating his skill as a number one mechanic. He has 
in his employ from three to five hands, and is doing a thriving 
business. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

GEORGE LINDER, who was born December 1, 1818, in 
France, is a son of John and Mary Magdeline Linder, who were 
natives of the same country. Mrs. Linder died in Havre de 
Grace, France, in 1832, and that same year Mr. Linder came to 
America to seek his fortune. He first located in Perry County, 



BIOGIIAPHICAL SKETCHES. 679 

Ohio, where he remained five years, at the end of which he 
moved to Mercer County, Ohio, and bought eighty acres of hind. 
where he commenced his career as a farmer. In 1854 he moved 
to Shelby County of the same State, and died in the winter of 
1857. Our subject was educated in the common schools of 
France, and came with his father to the United States in 1832. 
For the first th^e years, he worked for his board and clothes, and 
at the age of sixteen he commenced working for himself in a 
brickyard, and the next two years on a canal. He then went h • 
Morgan County, Ohio, and Avorked seven years in a salt mnnn 
facturing establishment. He next worked seven years in a foun- 
dry in Cincinnati, , Ohio, and then took a trip to the "Golde., 
Oate" by land and remained there two years. He then returnf^d 
to Cincinnati and married Wilhelmena Koerner, a native of Ger- 
many, in 1855. To them were born nine children: John Henry 
(deceased), Joseph William, Stephen August, George Alexander, 
Rosa Amanda (deceased), Eosa Emily, Laura Anna, Mary Ca- 
cillie and Everhart Edmund. After his marriage he came to Du- 
bois County and bought eighty acres of land. By good mannge- 
ment he now owns 320 acres with good buildings. In politicslie 
is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

MATHIAS OLINGER, son of Mathias and Margaret Olin 
ger, was born January 26, 1842, in Germany. His father fol 
lowed farming and blacksmithing as an occupation, and came to 
this country in 1846 and settled in Spencer County, where he 
bought 160 acres of land and commenced his career as a farmer. 
Both he and his wife are yet living at a good old age. Our sub- 
ject received a common school education and remained with his 
parents until he was 'twenty-three years of age, working on the 
farm. Becoming tired of this, he went to Chicago, in 1865, to 
to learn the carpenter's trade, where he remained three years He 
then returned home, and November 24, 1868, he married Catha 
rme Kellermann, who was born July 5, 1849, in Madison, Ind 
To them were born eight children: Mathias, Catherine, Bertha 
Rosa, John, Mary, Albert and Michael. After his marria^^e h ^ 
located in Ferdinand, Ind., and began keeping a furniture ^store 
In connection with this, he bought a saw-mill, and, as the mill 
proved to be more profitable, in 1880 he sold out his furniture 
store and has given his time to the mill. He now owns about 
170 acres of good land, besides two saw-mills, and an interest in 
a third. He also has a fine vineyard from which he makes from 
three to eight barrels of wine per year. Mr. Olinger is a Demo- 
3rat, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church 
FRANK QUANTE, architect, of Ferdinand, Ind., was born 
December 9, 1838, in Prussia. Germany, and is a son of Gerhard 



680 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

and Theressa (Vith) Quante, also natives of Prussia. Gerhard, 
who was an architect by occupation, traveled in Holland and his 
native country overseeing the buildings he had designed. Both 
parents died in Germany, the father in 1858 and the mother in 
1875. Our subject received the benefit of the common schools of 
Germany, and in addition took a business course of two years. 
At the age of sixteen, he commenced learning tie carpenter and 
cabinet-maker's trade, and in 1855, he immigrated to the United 
States, locating in Dubois County, where he continued at his 
trade. April 21, 1861, he married Thrasa Heilan, a native of 
Prussia. Mr. Quante worked at his trade for upward of eight 
years, when he bought an interest in a saw-mill, at which he 
worked for seven years, meeting with fair success. In 1870 he 
resumed his trade and has been working at it off and on ever 
since. He is quite a genius in his line of business, and has had 
excellent success. He is now engaged in erecting a large brick 
building or young ladies' seminary. In politics he is a warm 
Democrat, and in 1877 he was appointed assessor of Ferdinand 
Township by the county commissioners. He served two years, 
and in 1879, he was elected as county surveyor for two years. 
Mr. Quante may be proud of his career, for he commenced life 
as a poor boy, but by energy and economy, he now owns 800 
acres of land, two houses and seven lots in Ferdinand, and two 
lots in St. Mark's. He and his wife are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

HENRY REMKE, born February 28, 1815, in Germany, is 
a son of Herman and Elizabeth Remke, both of whom were na- 
tives of Germany. His father followed weaving as an occupa- 
tion, and in connection did farm work. He and wife lived and 
died in their nativfe country. The former's death occurred in 
1831, and the latter's in 1832. The subject of this memoir re- 
ceived a common school education in his native land, and after 
leaving school began supporting himself, at the early age of six- 
teen years. When twenty-two years of age he came to the United 
States, and located in Maryland, where he worked on a canal for 
nearly four years. He then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
worked in a brickyard for two years, and finally came to Dubois 
County, Ind., and bought forty acres of land, where he has sinc« 
lived. May 7, 1843, he married Mary Aversmann, a native of 
Hanover, Germany, to whom eight children were born, four of 
whom are living: Mary, Catherine, Henry and Elizabeth, By 
his energy and industry he now owns 160 acres of good land. In 
politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for James K. Polk. 
He and his family are members of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN G. STALLMAN, son of Andrew and Catherine (El- 
man) Stallman, who were natives of Prussia, was born June, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 681 

1820. He came with his parents to America when nearly seven- 
teen years of age, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1836, 
where they lived about three years, at the end of which they 
came to Dubois County, Ind., and settled in Ferdinand Township, 
where the father died in June, 1860, at the age of sixty-eight 
years, and the mother in 1868, in her eighty-fifth year. While 
in Cincinnati our subject worked in a stone quarry, and in 1840 
he came to Dubois County, and bought forty acres of land in 
Ferdinan ' Township, where he settled and has since lived. July 
22, 1848, he married Catherine AVoebkenberg, a native of Prussia, 
to whom eight children were born: Benjamin, Mary, Garhard.' 
Catherine, Ungler, William, Lena and John. Mr. Stallman set- 
tled on his farm when it was a wilderness, but by energy and 
industry he has cleared the place and erected good, substantial 
buildings. He now owns 160 acres of land, in a good state of 
cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat, being one of the lead- 
ing men of his party. In 1869 he was appointed county com- 
missioner to fill a vacancy from the Third District. In 1872 he 
was re-elected for another term, receiving a very large majority, 
thus illustrating his popularity among the people. He and his 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 

ALBEKT SONDEEMANN (deceased) was born September 
3, 1838, in Prussia, Germany, and is one of a family of four chil- 
dren. His parents, Antony and Josepha (Sondermann) Sonder- 
mann, were natives of Prussia. The father, who followed school 
teaching as an occupation, died in 1839. His mother then mar- 
ried Antony Theile, and in 1875 left their native country and 
came to Ferdinand, Ind. Her death occurred October 4, 1876, 
at the age of sixty-one. Our subject received the benefit 'of the 
schools of Germany for seven years. After leaving school he 
worked on a farm for three years. At the age of seventeen he 
came to America, locating in Ferdinand. In 1857 he hired out 
to John Gohmann as a clerk, and the next year began to work 
for Mrs. Poschen, with whom he stayed for about four years. 
November 21, 1865, he married Frances Eademacher, daughter 
of Charles and Catharine Eademacher. She was born in 
Louisville, Ky. They have nine children: Joseph, Augusta 
(deceased), Mary, Frank, Louisa (deceased). Bertha, Eosa (de- 
ceased). Matilda and Albertine. After marriage Mr. Sonder- 
mann rented the building occupied by Mrs. Poschen, and began 
keeping a general merchandise store. He soon accumulated 
money enough to buy eighty acres of land, on which he erected a 
large brick store— one of the finest in town. He died September 
10, 1884. Since then Mrs. Sondermann and her son Joseph 
have carried on the business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sondermann 
were members of the Catholic Church. 



682 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

JOHN SCHILLING, an enterprising farmer of Ferdinand . 
Township, was born September 0, 1850, in Alleghany County, 
Penn., and is one of the' children of Jacob and Angel (Casper) 
Schilling, both of whom were natives of Germany. Jacob came 
to this country when quite a small lad ; locating in Pittsburg, he 
became a coal miner. He stayed for about twelve years in that 
city when he moved to Dubois County, Ind., and bought 192 
acres of land. His death occurred about 1852, and his widow died 
June IC), 1881. Our subject received such education as could be 
obtained in the common schools, but after his father's death he 
aided his mother on the farm until he was thirty years of age. 
In January, 1880, he married Susan Simon, a native of Spencer 
County, Ind., to whom three children were born: Mary, Johnnie 
and Susie. At the death of his father he inherited one-third of 
his estate, or sixty-four acres, on which he located after marriage 
and now lives. In politics he is a Democrat and he and wife are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

JOSEPH STELTENPOHL was born February 28, 1838, in 
Germany. He is one of nine children born to Henry and Ger- 
trude (Klene Fortmann) Steltenpohl, who were natives of Ger- 
many, the former died in the summer of 1845, the latter, about 
1871. Our subject, according to the law of his native land, at- 
tended school seven years. He then became a sailor, which occu- 
pation he followed for about ten years. He then came to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and began work as a cabinet-maker at which he has 
since continued. June 3, 1873, he married Caroline Bencken, a 
native of Germany, by whom he is the father of seven children: 
Joseph, Josephine, Carrie, Frankie (deceased), Anna, Frankie 
and Henry. In 1878 he moved to Dubois County, Ind., bought 
two lots in Ferdinand, on which he erected him a commodious 
furniture store and dwelling house combined. He is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics and cast his vote for Gen. Hancock. He and his 
wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

LAWKENCE TRETTER was born in 1843, in Germany. 
He is a son of John and Elisabeth (Fondersmith) Tretter, both 
of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to this 
country in 1845, and located in Dubois County, Ind., where ho 
bought 160 acres in Jackson Township where he has since lived 
and has reached the age of seventy-three years. The mother 
died August, 1877. The subject of our sketch received a com- 
mon school education and came to America* at the age of three 
years and made his home with his people until he was twenty-six 
years old. In October, 1874, he married Philomena Pfaff, a na- 
tive of France, to whom six children were born: John, Henry, 
Emma, Charles, Mary and Laura. After marriage he located on 
an eighty acre tract in Ferdinand Township, which was given 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 685 

him by his fatlier. He is an industrous, hard working man, and 
by his energy he has added forty acres more to liis farm. In 
politics he is a Democrat. He and Avife are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

EOBEET T. VENEMANN, A. M., M. D., of Ferdinand, 
Ind., was born m EvansviUe, Ind., and is a son of Theodore and 
Mary (Eogers) \enemann, both of whom were natives of Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio. At the age of twelve years the father went to 
Evansville, Ind., and while in his teens' commenced tlie study of 
law. He graduated at St. Joseph's College. Bardstown, Ky., in 
1858 and in 1859 he graduated at the Cincinnati Law School. 
That same year he married, and entered into a partnership with 
Hon. Charles Denby, the present minister to China. He soon 
after entered into partnership with his father and brother as 
agents for railroads and steamships for home and foreio-n lines, 
which position he yet holds. He is one of the leading business 
men of Evansville. His wife died April (), 180(5, in her thirty- 
fifth year. Our subject received his early education at St. Mary,s 
School in Evansville, and in 1873 he attended the classical de- 
partment of the University of St. Louis, Mo., but owing to ill 
health he remained but a short time. He then studied in the 
Sterling Academy the remainder of the term, and in 1874 he 
entered St. Mary s College. Montreal. Canada, and remained one 
year. In 1875- <(> he attended a literary school at Worcester, 
Mass., and in 1877 he returned to the University of St. Louis! 
where he graduated June 25, 1879. He then took two courses 
of lectures at the Medical College in Evansville, graduating 
March, 1881. In April of the same year he entered into partner- 
ship with Dr. E. Linthicum. and began the practice of medicine, 
m which business he continued for one year. He then entered 
the Long Island Hospital Medical College of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
while there he became acquainted with Jennie A. Gerald,' daugh- 
ter of William H. and Catharine Gerald, of Boston, Mass. They 
were married April 20, 1882. and have two children: Theo and 
Gerald. After graduating from that school, the same year as his 
marriage, he again began his practice, and about the same year 
was appointed as lecturer on Physiologv in the Medical College 
of Evansville. In June, 1883. he returned to Brooklyn and re- 
mained there until November, 1884, when he came to Ferdinand, 
Ind., where he has since resided. He and wife are members of 
the Baptist Church. 

JOHN G. WOEBKENBEEG. one of the old settlers of 
Dubois County, Ind., was born May 4, 1830, in Hanover Ger- 
many, IS a son of John B. and Margaret (Burlage) Woebkenberg, 
both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came k> 
this country m the fall of 183»; and located first in Baltimore 



686 HISTOT?Y OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

and afterward in different cities along the Potomac. He finally 
reached Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained four years. In, 
1842 he moved to Dubois County, and located on an eighty acre 
farm in Ferdinand Township. He cleared his land of timi)er, 
built him a house and remained on the old place until his death, 
which occurred September 24, 1850. Our subject's mother lived 
with him until her death, August 7, 18(59. He received a com- 
mon school education and worked* on the farm at home until his 
father died. His father willed him the old place, and he (subject) 
was to pay his two sisters $150 apiece and furnish them with 
clothing until married. May 22, 1851, he married Angela Tepen, 
to whom eight children were born: Mary, Henry, Anna, Josephiwe, 
Bernard, Theodora (deceased), Catharine and Philumina. Ici 
1858 he began teaching, and taught, in all, eight terms. In 1863 
he was elected justice of the peace of Ferdinand Township for 
four years. He was re-elected in 1867 and again in 1871. serv- 
ing in all twelve years. In 1880 he was elected township trustee 
of Ferdinand Township for two years and again ill 1882, thus 
forcibly illustrating his efficiency as an officer. He and his wife 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

BEENARD WEYER was born in Dubois County, Ind., March 
24, 1851. He is a son of Gerard and Elizabeth (Sassa) Weyer, 
who were natives of Germany. His father came to this country 
when about thirty years of age and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 
three years, when he moved to Dubois County, Ind., and bought 
230 acres in Ferdinand Township, where he and his wife now 
live, at a good old age. Our subject received a common school 
education and lived with his parents until he was twenty-five 
years old. February 11, 1879, he married Mary Helming, a 
native of Gern>any. To this union were born two children: 
Frank and Theodora. After marriage he located on a sixty-two 
acre tract, which is his present home. He now owns 142 acres, 
102 of which his father gave him. Mr. Weyer is a hard work- 
ing industrious man and full of enterprise and push. In politics he 
is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Tilden and Hendricks. He 
and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 687 



CASS TOWNSHIP. 



GEOEGE HENRY BALSMEYER is one of the eio-ht chil 
dren of William F. and Anna (Meyer) Balsmeyer. The father 
was born November 6, 1822, in Hanover, Germany. The mother 
IS a native of the same province, born October 22, 1828 In 
1852 they were married at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1853 they 
moved to Dubois County, Ind., and settled on the farm of 140 
acres on which the widow now lives. By hard work" and good 
management Mr. Balsmeyer increased his farm to 200 acres of 
which about 120 acres are in a good state of cultivation His 
death occurred in December, 1874. The immediate subject of 
this biography was born November 25, 18.53. In early life lie 
received a common school education in English and German. At 
the age of twenty-six he began farming for himself, having 
bought a farm of 106 acres; he has 75 acres under good culti- 
vation. Mr. Balsmeyer is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, as are his parents. He is a warm Republican, and uni- 
versally respected. 

JOHN S. BRADEMEYER was born at Burlington, Iowa 
April 6, 1846. He is one of eleven children— five boys and sii 
daughters— born to William and Henrietta (Rothert) Brademeyer 
both ot whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. The father 
was born November 19, 1809, and the mother December 15 
i looi ^^S^""^ *° *^'^ country and were married in Septem- 
ber, 1837, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and soon after moved to Louis- 
ville, Ky. While there he moved his family to this county. 
Ihe subject of this memoir had very poor advantages for educa- 
tion, but through his own efforts secured a good practical educa- 
tion. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in his country's cause en- 
tering its service in 1861 in the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. In 
1862 he obtained a discharge, but in 1864 he again took part in 
he bloody conflict as one of the Tenth Indiana Cavalry and 
was soon promoted to corporal. He took part in many of the 
principal battles of the war and at one time he, two other soldiers 
and two negroes captured eleven fully equipped rebels, without 
the loss of a man. September 7, 1865, he received his discharge 
having served his country for two aad a half years In 187l' 
V«f^^^'"m ' i^ ^^^ married to Miss Charlotte Stilwell, born in 
1850. To them were born two children: Laura and Josephine 
bmce that time contracting and building has been his occupation 



688 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

in which he is wide-awake and enterprising. He is an ohl war 
Democrat, and cast his first vote for Seymour and Bhiir. 

HENRY BliOONEE is one of the eight children of Peter 
and Nancy (Ensher Brooner. The father was born in Pennsylva- 
nia, the- mother in Virginia. When Henry was tAvo years old he 
came with his father to Kentucky, near where Louisville now 
stands. In iSp) he moved to Dubois County, Ind., and engage 
in farnung. He lived here until a short time before his death, 
which occurred in 1853. Henry, the subject of this biography 
was born February 7, 1804. He was married to Miss Margare 
Cox, who died in 1848, leaving eight children: William, Eliza- 
beth, John P., Mary J., Benjamin D., Matilda A., Amelia and 
Martha. His second wife was Eliza J. Rice. There were m 
children l)orn to this union, but they have raised or partially 
raised thirteen orphans. Both husband and wife are members of 
the United Brethren Church. Mr. Brooner is one of Dubois 
County's old settlers, having lived here sixty-six years. In poli- 
tics he is a warm Republican, although having cast his first vote 
for Jackson, 

WILLIAM A. BROONER is one of the ten children of 
Henry and Margaret (Cox) Brooner. He was born in Dubois 
County, May 17, 1829, and educated in the subscription schools, 
attending about eighteen months. At the age of twenty he 
began working for himself, and soon cleared a field of eighty 
acres, on which he built a log house. He was married to Mary 
Kemp, born December 2(5, 1829, and who died AjM-il 5, 1861, 
leaving three children: Aaron. Sarah E. and Martha A. In 18(52 
Mr. Brooner married Miss Minerva J. Person, who has borne 
him eleven children — seven sons and four daughters: James V., 
Milton W., William A.. Mary E., Minnie M., George T„ Effie C, 
Lydia J., John S., Robert C. and Charles P. Mr. Brooner is a 
member of the United Brethren Church, and has been a life-long 
Whig and Republican, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce. 
He has now a farm of 1(30 acres, which he has obtained through 
untiring energy. In connection with farming he held the office 
of justice of the peace for one term. 

JASPER CLIFFORD, M. D., was born in Pike Countv, 
Ind., August 17, 1850. His father, A. W. ClifPord, born at Lex- 
ington, Ky., March 25, 1810, removed to Indiana about 1838, 
where he followed the occupation of farming until 1882. He 
was married to Miss Susanna Moore in 1838. To this union were 
born seven children: Nancy B., Ambrose, Jesse H., AVarrickH., 
Julia A., Jasper and Allan W. When Jasper was about four 
years old his mother died, and his father married again in 1854. 
In 1869 he entered the Oakland Institute, graduating among the 
first of the class. He then began the study of medicine Avith 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 689 1 

S'; P.t'7-' °i ^untingburgh, Ind. I„ 1881 ho graduated from 
OS TW Prl^'''r'''' ^"^^"S": ■■'' Cincinnati, Ohio, with high hon- 
tL 1 f ''','-7f "■■"■''""• '° Miss Annie M. V. Mererholtz 
They have four chddren^two sons and two daughters: Emily J 
George H. E., Mary L. and Lloy.l H. He began the m,actioe of 
his profession in his county in 1875, $rm in^lebt, but has con 

re''pra''ctic°e • " "°" """« "' ^^^^ ^'"^ '"^« -' ^t^- 

JOHN EDELE is a son of Micliael and Louise (Haesel) 
Edele, who were natives of Germany. The father was a stone 
mas.™ and worked at his trade duri^ life. They we : m^ Hed 
11 the old cou,*y,a,id soon after removed to America, locating 

bleT f P "f •• % t'\ ^^^'^ "'•'y <»""« t« Dubois County, ai d 
ived at Ferdinand. Ind., until their respective deaths. Tli sub 

March 8ri"S3?T "''' '-"Z "' "'^ ^"""^ P™"-« - '- P--^^. 
Maichdl, 18.32; he received a practical education in the com 

mon schools o his native land; at the age of twenty, learned tl 
ship-carpenter's trade; he plied his trade in Louisv lie, Ky and 
oon earned enough to enable him to purchase eighty acrko 
land which he has since increased to 100 acres, wellinp oved 
In X^t " f°;;"ty .-on «ft«r, and commenced fa^rmlug;' 

In 1800 he married Christina Schmitz. To them were born s!x 
children; Urban. Mary, Michael, Tracy. Christina and Katie 
The fami^ are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Edelet a 
^'''-'°:sVemoor.fUserredns.. oldie, in the Mexican war 
and has been an eiiterprising and useful citizen. 

Pd»fe ^ ^™^\."°" °* -Tohn "nd Christiana (Schmitz) 
Edele was born May 25, 1859; he received a good educate in 
both German and English, and at the age of Iwenty five be„an 
business for himself, retailing liquors iii St. Heniv^ Mr Mele 
s a warm Democrat, casting his first vote for Gen. " Hancock he 
IS an active and earnest member of the Catholic Churd and as a 

acres, near Holland, Ind., where they lived for thirty-two yfaiS^ 
The mother died in 1851; the father still lives, at the ripe oW 
Dubo ^^™»*r«f '*• The subject of this sketch was born 
Dubois County, January 18, 1845; in 1808 he bought the far 
of 12 acres, on which he now lives, of his father-in-law. .S 
S, 1809, he was niarried to Anna Williams, born Octobei U 
He.;vT' ?"^°'%,9.°r*^'-.To them were born five chi Ireir 
Henrj L., Lydia, M ilham, Jacob and Samuel. Both husban 1 a ■ 1 



'CQO HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Avii'e are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Elsliotf is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Gen. Grant. 
rjOHN ERNE is a son of Nicholas and Appelona (Isele) Erne. 
The father was born in Baden, Germany, and was burgomaster 
of Berau. During the rebellion of 1848, he became one of the 
leading spirits, mustering the men and preparing to resist oppres- 
sion. He was imprisoned twice, and each time the citizens se- 
cured his release; he was afterward elected to his old position, 
which he filled till his death, which occurred about 1857. The 
subject of this sketch Avas born in Germany, May 24, 1837 ; he 
was educated in the common schools of his native land, and at 
the age of fourteen, learned the miller's trade as a pre-requisite 
to learning the baker's trade. In 1854 he came to this country; 
and after a short stay in New York, went to Kentucky, then to 
Evansville, Ind., then to Illinois, and finally to this county in 
1858. where he bought 120 acres of land, which he has increased 
to 200 acres. On the 9th of May, 1861, he was married to Mary 
Miller, born April 21, 1841, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who 
has borne him six children: Lizzie B., William H., John A., 
Mary K., Frank S. and Ottillie C. M. Both parents are members 
of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Erne is a strong Republican, 
liaving cast his first vote for Lincoln. 

AUGUST FINKE. November 23, 1852, near Holland, Du- 
bois Co., Ind., was born the subject of this notice. The father, 
Henry F., was born in Germany in 1814. His mother, Henrietta 
Taylor Finke, is also a native of the old country. They came to 
America and settled in the eastern part of Ohio. August is the 
second of the children.' He received a limited education on ac- 
count of having to assist his father on the farm. When eighteen 
years old he commenced learning the saddle-maker's trade with 
Jonathan Kruger, of Huntingburgh, Ind. He has ever since 
practiced that vocation in Holland. In 1876 he and Miss Min- 
nie Imbush were united in marriage. Four children were born 
to this union — tAvo sons and two daughters : George and Henry 
(deceased), Nora and Lurena. Both Mr. and Mrs. Finke are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Finke was at one time a 
trustee of Cass Township, Avhich position he filled for two years. 
He declined renomination as a brother-in-law was one of the 
candidates. The latter was elected but soon sickened and died 
and Mr. Finke was chosen to fill the vacancy. He is a prompt, 
enterprising citizen and a reliable Democrat, having tast his first 
vote for S. J. Tilden. 

CASPER FULLING is a native of Germany. About 1833 
he left his native land and came to America. In 1869 he moved 
to this county and settled on the farm of 100 acres where he now 
lives. September 22, 1864, he was married to Mary E. Koch, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 691 

born in Dubois County, Ind., July 1, 18J:7. To them were born 
ten children: John B., born July 19, 18(55; Sarah A., September 
15, 1807; Emma R, March 27, 1869; Mary E., March 29, 1871; 
John F., July 12, 1873; Elanora E., April fi, 1875; George W., 
March 25, 1877; Lucinda, February 13, 1879; Amanda M., Jan- 
uary 22, 1881, and Arpha E., May 13, 1883. Both parents are 
members of the Evaiigelical Church. Mr. Fulling is a Repub- 
lican, liaving cast liis first vote for Lincoln. He began life's bat- 
tle poor and with but limited means at his commfind. He has 
overcome many obstacles in his bibor. but enerii:v and i)erseverance 
have crowned lUs labors with success. 

JOHN GRIFFITH is a son of John L. and Mary Guin Griffith, 
who are natives of Virginia. The father was born in April, 
1798, and Mrs. Griffith in March, 1803. They were married in 
Virginia and removed to Ohio where they remained till 1865, and 
then moved to this county, where he and his son John purchased 
140 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was born January 
1, 1833. At the age of twenty he began working in the lumber 
business for himself, and soon saved enough to enable him to 
purchase a farm. In 1857 he was married to Jane Blackburn, 
born June 15, 1836, who has borne him thirteen children: Mis- 
souri K., Albert G., Clarence V., John B., Belle, Mary F., Fan- 
nie, Norman, Sylvia, Bertha, Emma, J. Franklin and Nora. Mrs. 
Griffith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Griffith is a warm Democrat, casting his first vote for Buchanan. 
He is a good farmer and well respected. 

JOHN H. HEMMER is one of four children born to Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Helsmeyer) Hemmer, who were born in 
Prussia, Germany, and Avho came to America in 1813, settling 
on a farm of eighty acres, near Holland, Ind. The father built 
a log house, and began clearing off his farm. In 1856, be- 
fore the work was completed, he died, and in about three years 
the wife followed him. The subject of this biography was born 
January 3, 1839. He received about nine months' instruction in 
the German schools, and about thirty-six days in the English 
schools. Through persistent effort he has acquired a practical 
education in business affairs. When quite young he worked for 
his board and clothes, and on reaching manhood received $5 per 
month for his labor, October 18, 1860, Mr. Hemmer was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Katterhenry. The fruits of this union are 
seven children: Carrie, William N. W., Eli B., Louis W., Henry 
W., Lizzie C. and Sarah S., all of whom are at home. In 1857 
Mr. Hemmer bought the farm of 120 acres, on which he now 
lives, and which he has since increased to 150 acres. Both hus- 
band and wife are members of the Evangelical Association. Mr. 
Hemmer is a wide-awake citizen, and has helped to make Dubois 
County one of the best in the State. 



692 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

FRANK F. KINCHEL is one of six children born to Fred- 
erick and Frederica (Zoerner) Kinchel, who were natives of Ger- 
many, and who still live in the old country. The subject of this 
sketch was born December 3, 1835, in Germany. There he. re- 
ceived a common school education, and at the age of fifteen left 
home, and came to America to seek his fortune. He landed at 
New York, and in the spring of 1843 came to Spencer County, 
Ind., and worked on a farm. During the Rebellion he enlisted in 
Company E, Twenty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He took part in 
many noted battles, and after four years of faithful service he re- 
turned home, bearing an honorable discharge. He was married 
to Rachel Hack, June 16, 1867. To them were born five children: 
William F., Henry B., Anna E., Sarah N. and Mary H. (de- 
ceased). In 1866 Mr. Kinchel bought eighty acres of land 
north of Ferdinand Station, and, by good manageinent, has been 
able to purchase 100 acres more where he now lives. Mr. 
Kinchel is a wide-awake Republican, having always supported 
that party since his first vote. He has been a prompt and suc- 
cessful business man, and an influential citizen. 

GERHARD H. KLAUSMEIER is a son of John F. and 
Caroline (Meyer) Klausmeier. Both parents are natives of. Ger- 
many, the father being born in 1800 and the mother in 1801. 
They lived to a ripe old age and died in their native land. The 
subject of this memoir was born September 20, 1835, in Hanover, 
Germany. He was educated in the common schools of that 
country and came to America in 1853, and settled in Dubois 
County, Ind. He was married to Anna M, Weglage in September, 
1858. To this union were born thirteen children: Henry, Carrie, 
Fred, Louise, Willie, Earnest, Anna, Christ, Sophia, Sarah, 
Daniel, Lydia and Samuel. Mr. Klausmeier bought 160 acres of 
the farm on which he now lives, and by industry and care it has 
become one of the finest farms in Cass Township. He now owns 
173 acres. He is a warm Republican, and he and his wife have 
long been members of the Evangelical Church. He is a capable 
and industrious man, and is much respected by those who know 
him, 

EDWARD H. KUNZ was born at Jlolland, Dubois Co., Ind., 
October 24, 1865. His father was born in Rhenish Bavaria, 
Germany, October 12, 1824, and his mother, Mary E. (Tonnah- 
lan) Kunz, in Hanover, Germany, January 21, 1851. At one 
period the father was a ship builder; later, a house carpenter. 
In 1855 he built the first house of Holland, Dubois Co., Ind., and 
may rightly be called the founder of the town. During this year 
he began to keep store, and by persistent energy and industry 
increased his stock till it became the largest in town. He con. 
tinued in this business until his death 'January 22, 1885. Mr- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 693 

Kunz was an honest and upright citizen, and a zealous worker in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The immediate subject of this 
sketcli is one of eight children — four sons and four daughters. 
After completing the course in the graded schools of Holland, he 
attended the high school at Jasper, Ind. In 1883 he became a 
pupil in the art school at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he showed 
superior ability as an artist. On his return home he entered the 
schoolroom as a teacher, in which occupation he was very success- 
ful. Inheriting the sterling qualities of his father, he is now 
carrying on the mercantile business with success, and promises to 
rank high as a prosperous citizen and merchant. 

WILLIAM KUPER is one of six children born to Henry and 
Elizabeth Kuper. Both parents were born in Hanover, Germany, 
and came, to this country at an early period. They were soon 
after married in Louisville, Ky. In 1847 the father came to this 
county and bought a farm of 120 acres, which he has since 
increased to 200 acres. The subject of this sketch was born Jan- 
uary 18, 1848. He attended both German and English schools, 
and later took a two years' course at St. Meinrad's College, where 
he was very successful. He then began teaching, which business 
he followed for seven years, teaching six years at one place. In 
1872 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Deic, born January 18, 
1855. To them were born two children : John and Frank. Both 
husband and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In 1872 
Mr. Kuper began the mercantile business in St. Henry's, where 
he has since been doing a thriving business. 

LOUIS LAMMER was born in Cass Township, Dubois 
County, Ind., May 21, 1858. In boyhood he attended the com- 
mon schools, and on reaching his majority, began working at the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed three years. He then 
bought a fourth share in Daniel Tohmolen & Co.'s saw-mill, and 
after that a share in the planing and saw-mill, known under the 
title of Rottger & Lammer. His father, Adolph W., was born 
in 1819, in Hanover, Germany. At the age of seventeen he 
came to this country and worked as a day laborer. In March, 
1852, he came to Dubois County, and bought a farm, where he 
has lived ever since. His mother, also a native of Germany, was 
born November 11, 1820, and was united in marriage to Adolph 
Lammer, in 1847, at Louisville, Ky. To this marriage were 
born nine children, two of whom are dead. At the age of twenty- 
one, Louis identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and has been an active member ever since. He has no 
particular political views, but cast his first vote for Gen. Han- 
cock. Mr. Lammer is a steady young man, and is doing a good 
business. 

J. B. LUBBERS is a son of J. B. Lubbers, Sr., and Anna 



094 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Winterman Lubbers. Both parents were born in Germany, as 
were also their children. The father died in his native land, and 
the mother and five children came to this country in 1860, set- 
tling at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1868, the mother came to this 
county, where she died in 1884. The subject of this biography 
was educated in the common schools of Germany. He afterward 
learned the blacksmith's trade, and came to Dubois County, Ind., 
where he has since been working at that business. He married 
Rosa Deil, of Cincinnati, Ohio. To them were born four chil- 
dren: Caroline, William, John and Elizabeth. At the end of 
nine years his wife died, and about a year after, he was married 
to Victoria Handschiegl, a native of Spencer County, Ind. To 
them were born two children: Emma J., and Franciska H. Both 
husband and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In pol- 
itics Mr. Lubbers is a stanch Democrat. In 1880 he started a 
grindstone quarry, which proved to be an excellent one. In all 
his dealings he is prompt and honest. 

AUGUST LUBBERHUSEN is one of five children born to 
Henry and Elizabeth Lubberhusen. Both parents were born in 
Germany, and about 1845, the father came to this country, and 
lived successively in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, where he 
was married, and then came to this county in 1854. He pur- 
chased a farm of 120 acres, where he still lives. The subject of 
this sketch was born July 15, 1851, at Cincinnati, Ohio. At the 
age of fourteen, he began to learn the shoe-maker's trade, at which 
he worked until 1884, when he formed a partnership with W. H. 
Cooper, for merchandising. Shortly after he quit this business, 
and began keeping hotel and bar. In addition to this he is suc- 
cessfully filling the ofiice of justice of the peace. On the 13tli 
day of May, 1872, he was married to Miss B. Barth, born in 
Prussia, in 1854. Their children's names are Joseph,- Lizzie, 
Mary, August, Louise and Beno. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lubber- 
husen are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a warm 
Democrat, casting his first vote for Horace Greely. 

JOHN LUEBBERT was born January 30, 1855, near Hol- 
land, Dubois Co., Ind. His parents are natives of Germany, the 
father being born June 11, 1829, and the mother April 15, 1834. 
They immigrated to this county in 1853, and were married Janu- 
ary 12, 1854. To them were born eight children: John, Emma, 
Louise, Julia, Lizzie, Dina, August and Mary, all of whom are 
living. The father was a stone and brick-mason, and followed 
that trade until his death, which occurred in October, 1882. His 
mother is still living, making her home with her son-in-law, on 
the farm. The subject of this sketch received a good education, 
both in English and German. At the age of eighteen he began 
to learn the miller's trade, and is now one of the proprietors of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 695 

tlie flouring'-mill of Meyer, Luebbert & Co. Mr. Luebbert has 
been a member of the German Lutheran Church for six years. He 
is a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for S. J. Tilden. 

GERHARD H. MEYER is one of the children of Adam 
and Elizabeth (Wistuf) Meyer, who were natives of Germany. 
The subject of this memoir was born February, 1814, in the 
same province as his parents. He attended the common schools 
of Germany, and at the age of twenty, according to the require- 
ments of his Government, was drafted into the regular army, 
where he served his full time. In 1841 he crossed to America 
and landed at Baltimore; a year after he began working in the 
iron mines in Lawrence County, Ohio. Ho soon accumulated 
money enough to buy eighty acres of land in this county, which 
he has since increased to 200 acres, and on which he has ever 
since lived. He married Miss E. Bunte, born in 1819, and a 
native of Germany. To this union were born nine children — four 
sons and five daughters — the sons being Christian, Henry, Ger- 
hard and William. Both husband and wife are members of the 
Lutheran Church. The two sons, Henry and Gerhard, are mar- 
ried and settled in the neighborhood. William is also married, 
and living at home with his father. His wife, 7iee Lizzie Shafer, 
has borne him two children: George H. and Clemens W. Mr. 
Meyer is a successful farmer, and has helped make Dubois County 
what it is. 

GEORGE MEYER, son of Gerhard H. (elsewhere written), 
was born March 18, 1848, in Lawrence County, Ohio. During 
his boyhood he received a practical education in both English and 
German. On reaching his majority he began working for him- 
self, and in 1881 was able to purchase 100 acres, the farm on 
which he now lives, and which he has since iLcreased to 165 
acres. In October, 1875, he was married to Caroline Smith. 
To them were born two children, both boys. After the brief 
space of three years his wife died. In 1882 he was united in 
marriage to Lizzie Massman. To this union were born two chil- 
dren — one boy and one girl : Amelia and Edward W. Both par- 
ents are members of the Lutheran Church. In 1882 Mr. Meyer 
was elected to the office of assessor, which he has filled ever 
since. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, having cast his first 
vote for Horace Greeley. 

REV. CHRISTIAN F. ROTHERT was born May 17, 1817, 
in Hanover, Germany. At the age of twenty, in order to escape 
service in the regular army, he secured an elder brother's certifi- 
cate of service and escaped to the sea-shore. He there took pas- 
sage in a ship bound for Baltimore, and traveled on foot from 
that city to Philadelphia. In 1845 he settled near Holland, 
Dubois Co., Ind., where he followed the occupations of cooper- 



696 mSTOKY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

ing and farming, and gradually became a well to do farmer. 
In 1840 he married Miss Catherine H. Wibbeler, of Olden- 
burg, Germany. To this union were born these children: Fred- 
erick W., Eliza C, Anna M., Louis P., John F., Harmon- H., 
John H., Randolph D., John and Martin. The eldest of these, 
Frederick W. Rothert, was born March 4, 1840, at Louisville, 
Ky., and came to Dubois County, this State, when about four 
years old. He enjoyed such educational advantages as could 
be obtained at that time. At tlie beginning of the great civil 
war, he enlisted in the Forty-second Indiana Regiment, and 
for six months fought bravely for his country. In March, 18()5, 
he was married to Sophia Feldwish. To him and wife were 
born Hellina (deceased), Martin, Emma, Louis H.. Caroline, 
Matilda, Arthur and Franklin. Mr. Rothert was for four years 
township trustee, and is now engaged in merchandising, doing 
a good busijiess, and is known all over the county. 

JOHN ROTHERT, the youngest but one of the children 
of Christian Rothert, was born July 13, 1853, at Holland, 
Dubois Co., Ind. After attending the common schools he spent 
a year at the Huntingburgh High School. At the age of twen- 
ty-five he became a teacher, retaining one position for five years. 
He afterward taught the first school in the new building at Hol- 
land. He was married to Miss Sophia Lammmers (born August 
23, 1850 ), at Cincinnati, Ohio. To them were born four chil- 
dren — two sons and two daughters: Caroline S., Christian D., 
William H. and Anna M. In 1883 he moved to Holland to en- 
gage in the mercantile business, as one of the firm of Rothert & 
Bro., and at one time he was appointed deputy postmaster of Hol- 
land. Mr. Rothert is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and is .a stanch Republican, casting his first vote for 
Lincoln. He is a successful and enterprising business man. 

CHRISTIAN ROTTGER was born on the 5th day of August, 
1838, in Prussia, Germany. His father, Frank, and his mother, 
Alinne Siebe Rottger, were natives of the same province. They 
were married in the old country and immigrated to xlmerica 
in 1846. They settled near Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in 
gardening. In the spring of 1858 they removed to Dubois 
County, Ind., and bought a farm near Holland. The same 
year the father died, leaving four children — three sons and one 
daughter — and a widoAv who lived till 1884. Christian, the eldest, 
is the subject of ovir sketch. He received a common school edu- 
cation and then began farming. In 1802 he was engaged in 
the saw-mill business as one of the partners of the firm. He 
has remained one of the stockholders ever since, although the 
name of the firm has changed several times. In 1858 he was 
married to Miss May Rust, who bore him twelve children: Min- 



r.l()GRAI>IJK:Al, SKETCHES. 697 

nie, AVilliam. Frederick. Aniin. Frjink. Lizzie i^decensed ). Matilda, 
Henry, Otto. Amelia. Lydia and May (deceased). All are at 
home save the eldest. \\\io is a tarmej- near Holland. Ind. Mr. 
Rottj^er is a ti]eml)er of the Lutlieran Church, and is a well known 
business man thron^fhont tfie ctmntx. 

H. F. 11 F ST is one of the four children of Fred and Mary 
(Rt-ase) Evist. His parents were natives of Hanover, Germany. 
His lather s death occurred in lN;>S in his native land.and his mother 
soon after married Fred Busch.and both immigrated to this coun- 
try. The subject of this bioirraphy was born He^itember 7, 183(5, 
in the same [)rovince as his {)a rents and came with them to Amer- 
ica in 185t). He received instructions in the comuKm schools of 
German}', and at tlie age of twenty-one began working for him- 
selt in eastern Indiana for .?."") [)er month. In 1858 he came to 
this county and soon after Avent to Evansville where he remained 
eleven years, working in the saAv-mill. foxmdry, and as a dray- 
man. By hard work andeccmcmiy he thus saved enough to buy a 
farm of 1()() acres, on which he now lives. He was married, in 
18f);l to Anna H(H'st, who was born Se])tend)er '27, 183t). in Prus- 
sia, Germany. There were six children born to this union: Mary. 
Sophia (deceased I, William. Tillie. Frederick. Amelia and Ed- 
ward. The ])arents and childroj aie mendiers of the Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Rust has always been a Republican, casting his 
first vote for Lincoln. He is an industrious and thrifty farmer, 
and is highly esteemed by the community in which he resides. 

WILLIAM SCHFLTE is one of ten children born to John 
F. and Katie (Schroer) Schulte. Both parents were born in 
Hanover, Germany, the fatlier in 1801, the mother in 1813. They 
immigrated to this country in 184."). and settled at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where he was a general laborer. During the great cholera 
ravage of 1S49, he fell a victim to its fury, and after his death 
his widow married Henry Rixse, and with him moved to this 
county. After residing here three years she returned to Cincin- 
nati where she still lives. The subject of this memoir was born 
in Germany. September 1(), 183(). There he received a common 
school education, and by his own efforts has reached considerable 
])eifection in English. When twenty-two years of age he began 
farming his step-father's place. By energy and economy, he has 
since bought the farm, and is considered one of the prosperous 
and enterprising farmers of the county, and an agreeable and es- 
teemed neighbor. 

THOMAS SIMMONS is a son of Moses and Elizabeth Sim- 
mons, who were both born in North Carolina, where they were 
married. They lived successively in Kentucky, Harrison County, 
Ind., Martin County, Ind., and finally came to Dubois County, 
Ind., where they both died at a very old age. The subject of this 



698 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUiNTY. 

biography was born October 12, 1807, in Kentucky, At the age 
of twenty -two he began farming for himself on the place where 
he now lives. He was married to Anna Martin, born in Ohio in 
1810, and to them were born ten children: Thomas, Greenberry, 
Jefferson, Richard, Alfred, Phillip, Martin, Jesse, Mary A. -and 
Martha A. He, together with three of his brothers, participated 
in the late war, and all returned save Thomas, who sickened and 
died at LaGrange, Tenn. Mr. Simmons and all his boys are 
strong Democrats, the father casting his first vote for Jackson. 
In early times he killed two black bears (one of which was not 
more than seven feet from him when he shot it) and three wolves. 
He is a successful farmer and a highly respected citizen. 

J. H. SMITH is a son of Adam H. and Elizabeth (Behlner) 
Smith. They were natives of Germany, and were married 
there in 1828. In 1852 they immigrated to this country. On 
the way the father took the cholera and died at Troy, Ind. The 
mother lived but five years longer, dying at her son Henry ^s in 
1857. The subject of this biography was born April 19, 1828, in 
the same province as his parents. At the age of twenty-four he 
purchased a faum ofeighty acres, and began to cultivate it; by 
good manag^i^nt he now owns 120 acres, well furnished with 
buildings. In 1856 he was married to Mary Weismann, born 
November 27, 1840. To this union were born thirteen children: 
Louise, Anna, Lizzie, Lesette, Carrie, John, William, Sophia, 
Henry, Ida, Mary, Tillie and Amelia. Both parents are members 
of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican, 
after having voted the Democratic ticket for fifteen years. He is 
a good citizen and well liked. 

JOHN F. STEINKAMP was born May 21, 1849, in Dubois 
County, Ind. His father, Frederick J., was b^rn in Hanover, 
Germany, in 1816. At eighteen years of age he left his native 
land, settling at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was married. About 
six years later his wife died, leaving no children. He married 
Miss Mary Barkman for his second wife, in 1845. To them were 
born eight children: Eliza, John F., Henry, Frederick, Mary, 
Louise, Harmon and Caroline. Both father and mother are still 
living. The subject of this biography received a common school 
education, and when fifteen years old, began to learn blacksmith- 
ing. He began plying his trade at Holland, Ind., and still fol- 
lows his vocation. He married Lucinda Smalkop, of Ohio, born 
August 8, 1849, who bore him two children: Louis and Louise 
(both deceased). In 1877 his wife died, and two years later he 
took a second wife, Lucinda Imbusch, by whom he has one child, 
FranyHT Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Steinkamp are members of 
the Ilutheran Church. . In politics Mr. Steinkamp is a stanch 
Democrat. 



BIOGRArillCAL SKETCHES. 699 

H. ^\. STORK. M. 1).. of Holland, is a native of Trussia, his 
birth occurring September 21. 1S4(). He is one in a family of 
four sons and three davighters b<^rn to his parents, who were also 
natives of Germany. His father, a farmer by occupation, was 
born in the year 1812, and served two years in the Prussian Army. 
His mother. Mary (Walmann) Stork, was born in 1S18. Ii; 
1847 the family immigrated to the United States, and the year 
following settled in Cass Township, Dubois Co., Ind.. which has 
since been their home. The subject of this sketch received a 
good practical and commercial education in youth and early man- 
hood, and after attending a full course of instruction at the Medi- 
r-al Colleo-p of Evansville. c-raduated with lionors in 1878. Since 
tiiat time he has been actively and successfully engaged in the 
practice of medicine at Holland, and for some time has also con- 
ducted an apothecary store. Dr. Stork has been twice married ; 
first in 1865 to Christina Finke, who bore him four sons: William 
F., Daniel, John W. and Jesse K. Dr. Stork's second wife, for- 
merly Miss Emma Katterjohn, has borne him one son: Arthur 
Milroy. He is one of Dubois County's most esteemed, enterpris- 
ing and well known citizens. 

JOHN F. WESSEL is one of nine children born to John F. 
and Mary (Prior) Wessel, who are natives of Germany. They 
came to this country at an early period, and were married at 
Louisville, Ky., where the father worked in a livery stable, and 
the mother worked by the week till they saved enough to buy 
eighty acres of land in Dubois County, Ind. Here they moved 
about 1845, and by earnest efforts have increased their farm to 
440 acres. In 1864 Mr. Wessel was thrown before a reaper 
while driving from Huntingburgh and sustained injuries from which 
he died in a few hours. The subject of this biography was born 
June 27, 1850. At the age of twenty-one he began working on 
the farm of 130 acres, where he now lives, and on the 4th of April," 
1872, he was married to Elizabeth Lammers, born at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, August 21, 1850. To them five children have been born; 
Anna (deceased), Charles F., Victor D., Harvey F. and Eno O. 
Both husband and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Wessel is a Republican, casting his first vote for 
Gen. Grant. He is a successful farmer and a good citizen. 



700 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTV 



BOONE TOWNSHIP. 

HENRY BREIDENBAUGH, son of Nicholas and Margaret 
(Lotz) Breidenbaugli, was born in Germany, July 7, 1809, and at 
the acre of fifteen, learned the paper-maker's trade, at which he 
worked thirteen years. In 1837 he left his native land and came 
to the United States, landing at Baltimore. Soon after he went 
to Springfield, Ohio, and worked on the turnpike and helped 
build the canal running through Dayton. He then came to 
Orange County, Ind., and farmed ten years. In 1849 he settled 
on a ninety acre farm in Dubois County, where he yet lives. Sep- 
tember 1, 1839, he returned to Ohio, and married Mary Franken- 
berg, born February 7, 1820, and then returned to Indiana. To 
them were born these children ; Caroline, George, John, Henry, 
AVilliam, Joseph, Margarei, Mary A., Julia and Lizzie. Mr. 
Breidenbaugli is an old time Democrat, casting his first vote for 
Polk. In 185(5 he was elected trustee of Harbison Township, and 
filled the office satisfactorily. July 14, 1883, his wife died, and 
he now lives with his children. 

GEORGE BREIDENBAUGH is a son of John and Dorothea 
(Lintner ) Breidenbaugh. Both parents were born in Germany, 
and in 1837 the father came to America and settled on the farm 
where his son Adam now lives. Our subject was born February (), 
1857, in Dubois County, Ind., and at the age of eighteen began farm- 
ing for himself on the home place. In 1884 he bought the farm of 
102 acres, seventy-five acres of which are under good cultivation. 
August 21, 1884, he married Susan Hoffman, born September 
30, 186(), native of Dubois County, and daughter of John and 
Catharine Hoffman, natives of Germany. Mr. Breidenbaugh is 
a warm Democrat, casting his first vote for Hancock; he is an 
energetic young business man of Dubois County, and will make 
life a success. 

ADAM BREIDENBAUGH, brother of George Breiden- 
baugh (see sketch), was born July 16, 1849, and at the age of 
twenty-four he began working 'on the farm of 160 acres where 
he now lives. By hard work and good management he now has 
100 acres under good cultivation, with excellent buildings. In 
1874 he married Miss Nancy Able, and by her has one child, a 
daughter, Nancy, His wife died April 25, 1875, and four years 
later Mr. Breidenbaugh nMuried Lena Huffman, born October 
26, 1860. The fruits oi this union are three children — two 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 703 

(laughters aiul one son: Lonella, Anna D. and Walter A. In 
politics he is a leading Democrat of Boone Township, castino- his 
first vote for Horace Greele}-. ^ 

WILLIAM L. BRITTAIX, born November 25. 1826. is a 
brother of John C. Brittain (elsewhere written ). He received 
but little education in boyhood, but has since educated himself in 
the practical affairs of life. At the age of twentv he began work- 
ing for himself and soon after rented\n farm where he continued 
for about four years. In 1853 he bought eighty acres of timber 
land, part of the farm on which he now lives. By hard Avork 
and good management he has increased his farm from eio-hty to 
270 acres, 180 acres of which are cultivated. January 18 18411 
he married Martha Norton, born August 9, '^M&^ in 'Kentucky' 
She is a daughter of Drury and Nancy (Johnson) Norton. Mr! 
and Mrs. Brittain are the parents of five children : Sarah E., Mary 
E., Nancy I., John A. and Oliver P. Both husband and wife 
are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. 
Brittam is a leading Republican, and an example of what a young 
man of energy and brains may do. He began life with no capi- 
tal but his two hands, but is now a successful and influential 
farmer. 

JOHN C. BRITTAIN, farmer, was born in Dubois County 
Ind., May 1, 1831, son of John G. and Sarah (Lindsey) Brittain 
The father was born in South Carolina in 170(), and the mother 
born m Tennessee in 1808. John was a farmer and carpenter 
and came to this State about 1823, locating near Haysville, where 
he died in August, 1853. The mother is stilf living aged 
seventy-seven years. Our subject received but little education, 
but by taking an active part in business life he acquired a crood 
practical education. At the age of twenty he began working for 
himself and soon saved enough to purchase forty acres of timber 
land. This he cleared and then erected a log house He 
now owns 214 acres of land, 150 acres being under cultivation. 
October 20, 1854, he married Rachel Cooj)er, born in 1837 
daughter of William B. and Mary (Ferre) Cooper. They are 
the parents of twelve children: Mary J., Elbridge E Ab/aham 
L., Rachel L., Ulysses H.. George R.. Clara Y.. Estella B., John 
C, James A. and two unnamed. Mrs. Brittain is a member of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Brittain is a Repub- 
lican and a good example of a self-made man. Starting from a 
hired laborer, he has risen step by step until he has acquired a 
comfortable competency. 

WILLIAM S. BISSEY is a son of Elias.and Angeline (Mc- 
Intyre) Bissey. The father was born in Pennsvlvania and the 
mother m New York. They came to Dubois County, Ind„ and 
settled near Ireland, where the father died Ajn-il 0, 1805 Will 



704 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

iam was born March 9, 1848, in Ohio. In boyhood he received a 
practical education in the common schools and at the age of 
twenty-one -began working for himself on a rented farm. At the 
end of one year he went to Illinois, where he stayed four years. 
Having returned he purchased a farm of 120 acres in 1881. He 
has now 160 acres of good land, 100 acres being under cultiva- 
tion. In 1808 he married Melvina Kelso, after the brief space 
of twelve years she died, leaving three children: Olive, Charles 
and Harry. About a year later Mr. Bissey married Mrs. N. E. 
McCane. To them was born one child, Eliot. Both parents are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Mr. Bissey 
is a stanch Republican, who cast his first vote for Grant. He is 
much respected by friends and neighbors. 

LEMUEL L. COOPEE, son of William B. and America 
(Brittain) Cooper, was born October 17, 1851, in Dubois County, 
Ind. The parents were natives of Virginia and Indiana respect- 
ively. The father's death occurred July 15. 1805. Lemuel at- 
tended the common schools and afterward spent two years in the 
high school of Huntingburgh, after which he taught school for 
five years, meeting with excellent success. In 1877 he purchased 
the farm of 160 acres on which he now lives and which affords 
him a good home. Josephine Green became his wife September 
15, 1877. She was born January 26, 1858, daughter of Nenian 
and Charlotte (Dillen) Green. The father was a victim of yellow 
fever at Corinth, Miss., while he was there serving his country 
in the Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cooper are the parents of five children : Belle, Edna, Lilian, Kate 
and Alexander B. For two years Mr. Cooper has filled the ofiice 
of township trustee and is now township assessor. He is a lead- 
ing Republican and cast his first vote for Grant. He is an 
honest and reliable citizpn and much respected. His wife is a 
member of the Cumberlamd Presbyterian Church. 

N. B. COFFMAN, son of Henry J. and Sarah (Garrison) 
Coffman, was born July 24, 1852, in Floyd County, Ind. His 
father was born in 1818, and his mother in 1828. Our subject 
received but poor school advantages, but by contact with business 
life he has a good practical education. At the age of twenty -one 
he began working for himself on his father's farm. March 14, 
1876, he married Essa M. Hedden, born in Floyd County, Ind., 
August 24, 1854, and daughter of Alexander and Amelia Hedden. 
Mr. and Mrs. Coffman are the parents of three children: Win- 
nie, Jessie and an infant. In 1881 our subject bought eighty 
acres of land where he now lives, and has charge of 400 acres 
belonging to his father. He is a Republican, and has held the 
office of township trustee, He has taken great interest in school 
affairs, and has helped bring the schools to their present perfec- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 705 

tion. Mrs. Coffman is an earnest member of the Metlioilist Epis- 
copal Church. 

THOMAS FARIS is a son of James and Elizabeth (Thomp- 
son) Faris. The father, born in 1771, was a native of Mary- 
land: the mother, born in 1779. a native of South Carolina. 
About 1806 they came to Dubois County. Ind.. where thev en- 
tered 500 acres of timbered land. James' death occurred May 
S, 1833, and his Avidow's in Attgiist. 1870. Thomas was l)orii 
April 5, 1820, near Portersville. Ind. He lived with his mother 
and helped care for his younger brothers and sisters until twenty- 
five years of age, when he began working for himself on the 
home place. March 20, 1856, he married Slary E. Doherty, born 
July 4. 1835, daughter of Joseph and Mary Doherty, born in 1791 
and 1800, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Faris are the parents of 
nine children: James M. E., Rachel E., Emma E., Florence G., 
Ida K., Joseph, Fannie A., Andrew A., Lulie B. and one de- 
ceased. Both parents are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church. Mr. Faris is an old time Republican, who cast 
his first vote for Henry Clay. He held the office of township 
trustee for two years, and gave good satisfaction. 

ELLIS F. FARIS,son of Robert andPalina (Ellis) Faris, was 
born November 22, 1855, in Boone Township, Dubois Co., Ind. His 
father came to this county in 1806, and after a residence of about 
two years settled on the farm near Portersville. When twenty- 
one years old Ellis began working for himself on eighty acres of 
land, which he received from his father's estate. He sold this 
land and bought 110 acres which he also sold and afterward pur- 
chased 144 acres, where he now lives. He owns 160 acres of 
land, 120 acres of which are cleared and under good cultivation. 
January 12, 1879, he was married to Anna Rudolph, daughter of 
Henry and Elizabeth Rudolph, born February 27, 1859, in Du- 
bois County. They are the parents of two children: Alice May 
and John Elmer. Mrs. Faris is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Faris is one of the leading Republi- 
cans of Boone Township, and cast his first vote for R. B. Hayes. 

JAMES W. FARIS, an enterprising young farmer of Du- 
bois County, Ind., was born May 14, 1858, and is a brother of 
Ellis Faris (elsewhere written). He received a fair education, 
and at the age of eighteen began working for himself. At the 
end of four years he bought a farm of 160 acres in Boone Town- 
ship, and about two years later sold that and purchased the farm 
of 110 acres where he now lives. April 23, 1879, he married 
Miss Savina Miller, born June 2. 1862, in Dubois County, daugh- 
ter of Adam and Mary A. (Kelso) Miller. To them were born 
three children — one son and two daughters: Maud, Frank and 
Edith. Both parents are members of the Cumberland Presby- 



706 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

terian Church. Mr. Faris is a leading Republican in his town- 
ship, and cast his first vote for James A. Garfield. He is a young 
man of excellent principles, and is much respected and esteemed. 
ALBERT C. GRAY is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mc- 
Cofferty) Gray, who were born in 1818 and 1825, respectively. 
They were married in 1843 and settled in Pike County, where 
they lived but a short time. They afterward bought a farm in 
Boone Township, where they passed the remainder of their lives. 
The father died in 1856 and the mother in 1876. Our subject 
was born July 4, 1845. Attaining his majority he began farm- 
ing for himself on the old home place. In 1868 he bought a 
farm of 120 acres, and May 14, of the same year, he led to 
Hymen's altar, Mary E. Harris, born August 13, 1848, daughter 
of Daniel and Elizabeth (Faris) Harris. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray 
were born these children: William, John, Emma (deceased), 
Mattie, Rater and Roy. Mr. Gray is a well to do citizen, and is 
the possessor of 234 acres of land where he now lives; 160 acres 
are well cultivated and furnished with first-class buildings. Both 
husband and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, never having voted any 
other ticket. 

CHARLES HORTON, farmer, son of Raughley and Mar- 
garet (Gray) Horton, was born May 30, 1827, in South Carolina. 
The parents were natives of Virginia and South Carolina, respect- 
ively, and came to Dubois County, Ind., in 1832. Here they 
lived about twenty -five years, and then came to Boone Township, 
where the father died March 28, 1872. The mother died 
August 3, 1846. Our subject came to this State with his parents, 
and at the age of twenty he began working for himself. In 
1854 he purchased sixty acres of land in Boone Township, where 
he built a log house and began clearing his land. He now 
owns 120 acres of land, seventy acres under good cultivation. April 
17, 1851, he married Mary I. Brittain, born March 1, 1833, in 
Dubois County, daughter of John G. and Sarah (Lindsey) Brit- 
tain. Mr. and Mrs. Horton are the parents of eight children: 
William A., Basil L., Louis E., Sylvester H., Thomas A., Charles 
W., Mary I. and Edward A. All the family are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Previous to the war Mr. 
Horton was a Democrat, but since that time he has been a 
Republican. 

GEORGE W. HASKINS is a son of Daniel and Sarah 
(Weedman) Haskins. The father was born July 11, 1806, at 
Cumberland Gap, and the mother born in 1807, in Indiana. In 
1827, the year following their marriage, they came to this county, 
remaining here ten years and then moved to Crawford County. 
The mother died in August 1856. George was born August 15, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 707 

1^2^. near Jasper, wlh re he attended seliool in the first school- 
i:(>us^' eve/ Iniilt in tiie unvn. At tlie a^^e oi pi»;-hteen he began 
^v(>rkin^■ for himself on ids fatlier's farm. A \ear later he went 
to Pike County vvliere he farmed two years. He tlien returned to 
this county and entered ei^dity acres of hind Avliere he now lives. 
By o-ood manai^ement he has since increased his farm to 200 
i.cies. Ellen ('haj)])ell. born in 1S2S, became his Avife in 1852. 
To them were borji tAvo children : Sarah M. and William E. The 
wife died in lb54, a.nd about a year later he married Malinda 
Hall, born March 10. ISHI. daughter of David and Sarah (Day) 
Hall. They became the ])arents of thirteen chikh-en: James, 
deorge. Saverna and one unnamed, are deceased: Harriet M., 
Laura A.. Francis I.. Elsworth. Eachel C, Mary E., llillie J.. 
Lillie A. and Susan E.. are living. Husband and wife are nieni- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Haskins has filled 
ll:e office of justice of the peace for seven years, and has given 
the best of satisfacticm. He has voted the Eepublican ticket 
since the breaking out of the A\-ar. 

LEMUEL L. KELSO, farmer, was born July 7, bs:32, at 
Knoxville, Dubois County. Ind. His parents, Aiidrew F. and 
Susannah E. (Hargrave) Kelso, were born in 1S07 and 1813, re- 
spectively. They moved to this ccmnty in 1817, when the father 
put up the first grist-mill in the county. He afterward sold his 
mill and purchased a farm in Boone ToAvnship, then afterward sold 
out and bought a mill in Ireland. At the age of twent}', Lemuel 
inherited 12() acres of land froin his father's estate. He has been 
a farmer ever since and has now 440 acres of good land. Octo- 
lier 11. iSo;! he married Sarah Chai)pell. born July 24, 183-"). 
They are the parents of nine children: Oscar L., Elizabeth F., 
Erasmus L.. Lincoln P., Susannah B.. Benjamin H.. Idvsses B.,-^ 
Edith and Effie. At the breaking out of the Avar he'enTisl^edln 
Company F. Tenth Indiana Cavalry. He Avas in numerous fam- 
ous battles and skirmishes, and after serving nearly Iavo years 
returned home. His wn Oscar is a graduate of the State 'Uni- 
versity and State Normal School and is noAV principal of the high 
school at Richmond. Ind. Erasmus is a promising young lawyer 
in loAva. The rest of the sons are fai-mers. Mr. Kelso's first Avife 
died of heart disease September 10. IH70, and August 20, 1881, 
he married Mary Coffman. horn November 4, 1853. To them 
Avere born two children: Zen.is C. and Isaac H. Mrs. Kelso is a 
member of the Methodist Clinrcli. and her hus}>and is a. Avarm 
Ikepublican. Avho cast his first vote for Filmore 

"BENNETT C. KELSO, son of Samuel ano b. .,rtoni 

Kelso. Avas born October 15. Is42. in Duboi.> •■ ,,. At 

the age of seventeen h-^ enlisted in (\)mpany E. i ' ■. . ' ;!•, In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry, and during three "years ::;iii.ui -(>rvie.' 



708 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

he and his comrades took part in some of the bloodiest engagements 
that history has ever recorded. After returning home his health 
was never the same. By exposure he had sown the fatal seeds 
of consumption and fifteen years later his death occurred. April 
21, 1867, he married Mary E. Graham, born June 28, 1847. To 
this marriage were born two children : Manora and Lizzie B. Both 
husband and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Kelso was one of the prominent Republicans of the township 
and an active member of the I. O. O. F. He was an excellent 
citizen and honest upright man, much respected and esteemed. 

CLAY LEMMON, farmer, was born December 20, 1842, in 
Dubois County, Ind. His parents were Elijah and Isabella 
(Summervi^e) Lemmon. The father was born near Portersville, 
Ind., in 1815, and in early life folloAved flat-boating on the White 
River, and in 1830 he entered 1(50 acres of land. Before divid- 
ing his land among his children, he possessed about 880 acres, 
and received a large income from the loan of money. July 15, 
1876, he was taken from among the living, his wife having 
passed away in 1860. Clay was educated in the primitive schools 
of his day and at the breaking out of the Rebellion, he shoul- 
dered his musket with the other brave boys of Indiana, and enlisted 
in Company E, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, the 
sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, and many others, fighting 
bravely for his country for over four years. After coming home, 
he worked on the farm until his marriage to Lucy Anderson, which 
occurred September 3, 1872. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren: Isaac B., Charles O., Earl S. and Jessie I. At his father's 
death, Mr. Lenimon became the possessor of tlie 230 acres of 
land, which he afterward increased to 390 acres. Both husband 
and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
• and Mr. Lemmon is a leading. Republican, having cast his first 
vote for Grant. 

W. S. LEMMON, brother of Clay Lemmon (above writ- 
ten), was born March 19, 1847, in Dubois County, Ind. At the 
age of sixteen he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fourth Indiana 
Volunteers, and served his country faithfully nearly two years. 
In March, 1864, he returned to home and friends, and he and his 
brother worked on the home farm until 18()7, when he bought a 
farm of 120 acres in Pike County, which he sold, fifteen years 
later. In 1877 he purchased the farm of 230 acres, and which 
he has since increased to 270 acres, 110 acres being under culti- 
vation. November 29, 1868, he married Emma McDonald, born 
July 27, 1849, daughter of John and Margaret (Bacon) McDon- 
ald. They are the parents of four children: Clara I., Ira C, 
Eliza M. and Harley S. Mr. Lemmon and wife are members of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 709 

the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a warm Republi- 
can, who cast his first vote for Grant. He is a successful farmer, 
and is now the possessor of 377 acres of good land. 

JOHN MEHNE, one of two children of John and Barbara 
(Price) Mehne, who were born in Germany, is a native of Ken- 
tucky, and was born November 10, 1853. The father came to 
America, and after marriage settled in Kentucky, where he re- 
mained for a few years, then came to this county and engaged in 
the saw-mill business. A short time after he bought 280 acres 
of land where his widow now lives. His death occurred January 
12, 1876. In early life John learned the carpenter's trade, at 
which he worked about ten years. In 1881 he bought a store- 
room, and filled it with a large stock of general merchandise, at 
which business he has been quite successful. He married Mar- 
garet Bacher, September 26, 1878, and to them were born three 
children: Johanna R, Margaret B. and Elizabeth M. Both 
husband and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he 
is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Tilden. 

BARBARA MEHNE is the only child of Munkert and Kate 
Mehne, natives of Germany. The father died in the old country 
in 1836, and the mother about five years ago, in New Albany, 
Ind. Our subject, who was born December 30, 1827, came to the 
United States in 1850, and settled in Dabois County. That same 
year she married George Hoffmann. To this union were born 
these children: Frederick, Margaret K., John, Anna M., George, 
Eva and Christian. January 20, 1863, Mr. Hoffman died, and 
after a widowhood of eight years she married J. Mehne, born in 
1819. In 1876 he also died. Since that time she has remained 
a widow. Mrs. Mehne is a woman of pluck and enterprise, and 
manages a farm of 280 acres, 140 of which are under cultivation. 
By hard work and good management she has saved enough money 
to buy out all the heirs to the property, save one. She is an act- 
ive member of the Lutheran Church, and an energetic and capable 
business woman. 

RICHARD F. MILBURN, one of the leading farmers of 
Boone Township, is a son of Francis and Mary (Inman) Mil- 
burn. The father was born in Kentucky in 1804, and the mother 
in 1809. They moved to Dubois County, Ind., in 1859, where 
they farmed. Francis died in November, 1861, and the mother 
died September 5, 1865. Richard was born October 24, 1832. 
He received but little schooling in his boyhood, but by his own 
exertions acquired a good business education. From early bov- 
hood he worked in a mill in Kentucky until 1853, when he came 
to Dubois County and settled on a rented farm where he remained 
two years. He afterward bought eighty acres of the farm where 
he now lives. He built a house and furnished it, but one 



710 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

clay during his absence it burned to the ground. With the assist- 
ance of his neighbors he erected another in four days. He now 
owns 200 acres of good land. In 1852 he was married in Ken- 
tucky to Liza J. McCarthy, born December 13, 1834. Tliey 
were blessed with six chUdren: Sarah E., John W., Eichard M., 
James S., Mattie J. and one unnamed. Kichard is a wide-awake 
young teacher, and has attended the State Normal School 
three terms. Husband and wife are members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Milburn has served as constable 
seven years, and has filled the office of justice twelve years. He 
is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Buchanan. 

LOUIS L. MILLER, one of the leading young farmers of 
Boone Township, is a son of Adam and Mary A. (Kelso) Miller, 
who were natives of Dubois County, Ind. In early life the father 
began merchandising in Patoka Township, and soon after began 
farming. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Com- 
pany E, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers. After a service of 
two years he sickened and died March 11, 1863. The mother is 
still alive. Louis received a common school education, and at the 
age of twenty he began farming on a rented place. In 1883 he 
bought the farm of 140 acres on which he now lives, ninety acres are 
under cultivation, and are furnished with good buildings. Septem- 
ber G, 1883, he married Alice N. Faris, born September G, 1864. 
To their union one child was born, Ellis H., born March 8, 1885. 
In 1882, Mr, Miller was elected constable, which position he ably 
filled for two years. He is a strong Republican, and cast his 
first vote for Garfield. As a farmer he has been fairly suc- 
cessful. 

JOHN RUDOLPH, a native of Germany, is a son of Henry 
P. and Elizabeth Rudolph, who were also natives • of the old 
country. The father was born 1778, and died in 1836, the mother 
was born 1781, died in 1854. John was born July 9, 1819, and 
at the age of twenty-three, having learned the shoe-maker's 
trade, he worked for wages till 1847 when he set up shop for 
himself. In 1852, he with his mother and other members of the 
family left their native land to find a home in the New World. 
They located in Portersville, Dubois Co., Ind., where he purchased 
eighteen lots. He now owns thirty-two, and is in good circum- 
stances. December 9, 1854, he married Anna C. Harter, born 
March 5, 1830. To their union were born seven children: Lizzie 
C, Elizabeth, Anna E., Belle, Henry P., John D. A. and Chris- 
tian W. For the last twelve years Mr. Rudolph has been keep- 
ing hotel in Portersville with good success. He and family are 
members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a life long Demo- 
crat, having cast his first vote for Buchanan. 



\ 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 711 

CHRISTIAN H. RUd6lPH, farmer of Dubois County, 
Iiid., was born June 14, 1840, in Pittsburgh. Penn. ; at the age 
of eighteen he began working for liimself on a rented farm, where 
he remained three years. He then purchased the farm of 135 
acres where he now lives. In 1882 he bought a half interest in 
270 acres of river bottom land, which he yet owns. April 30, 
1875, he was married to Elizabeth Bauer, who died April 28, 
1882. To them were born three children: Frank, Anna and 
Harry. September 5, 1882, he married Catharine Bauer. They 
have two children: William and Dora. In 1878 Mr, Rudolph 
was elected township trustee, and in 1882 was re-elected. He is 
a Democrat and an enterprising and successful farmer. His 
parents, Henry and Elizabeth Rudolph, who were natives of Ger- 
many, were born in 181(3 and 1825, respectively, and came to this 
county in 1851, and still reside here. 

ADAM RUDOLPH, brother of Christian Rudolph (else- 
where written), was born in Pittsburgh, Penn,, December 29, 
1847. He received a practical education in the common schools, 
and at the age of twenty-two he began tilling the soil on his 
father's farm, where he remained eight years, and then bought a 
half interest in the business now owned by C. H. and A. Rudolph. 
In 1879 Adam bought his brother's interest, and now has entire 
control of affairs. In 1883 he and his brother, Henry, established 
a general merchandise store in Haysville, and are having a lively 
trade. May 23, 1882, he married Barbara Tenfal. To them 
were born two children: Zenobia and Olga. Mr. Rudolph is a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of 
the Lutheran Church. Our subject was assistant postmaster at 
Porters ville for some time. He is one of the l6ading Democrats 
of the township, having cast his first vote for Greeley. 

GEORGE RUDOLPH, brother of Christian Rudolph (else- 
where written), was born in Dubois County, Ind., December 28, 
1854. In boyhood he received a practical education, and on 
reaching his majority, began working for himself. Six years 
later he purchased a one-half interest in the farm of 273 acres, now 
owned by himself and brother. Christian. In 1881 George led to 
Hymen's altar Miss Laura Bowers, born August 31, 1861, 
daughter of George and Caroline (Grossman) Bowers, both 
natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph are the parents of 
two children : Margaret and Walter C. The former born October 
10, 1882, the latter born March 14, 1884. Mr. Rudolph's politi- 
cal views are Democratic, having cast his first vote' for Tilden, 
As a farmer he has been quite successful, having one of the best 
farms in the White River bottom. 

JOHN N. RUDOLPH, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Buer- 
line) Rudolph, was born April 27, 1852, at Portersville, Ind. 



712 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

In early life lie received a practical business education, and on 
reaching his majority began to work for himself on his father's 
farm. In 1881 he bought his father's interest in the home place, 
which amounted to 107 acres, which, together with forty-seven 
acres he had previously ov^ned, make him a good home. In 1882 
Mr. Rudolph married Miss Mary J. Weisman, born May 3, 1865, 
near Huntingburgh, Ind., daughter of Frederick W. and Eliza- 
beth (Bretz) Weisman. They have three children: Cora, Her- 
man and Helen, the last two, twins. Mrs. Rudolph is a member 
of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Rudolph is a leading Democrat 
of Boone Township, and cast his first vote for S. J. Tilden. He 
has been quite successful in business, and is a good citizen. 

PHILIP SCHWANK, one of the leading farmers of Boone 
Township, is the only child of John and Margaret (Harley) 
Schwank. The parents were natives of Germany and came to 
this country in 1843, and settled in Dubois County, Ind., on the 
farm where Philip now lives. He first entered forty acres of land. 
His personal property consisted of an old horse, a one-horse 
wagon and an ax. By hard labor and economy he increased his 
forty acres to 240 acres. His death occurred in 1864. The 
mother still lives with her son at the ripe old age of eighty- 
five. Our subject was born in Barracks, Penn., April 9, 1841. 
At the age of twenty he began doing for himself, taking charge 
of the home farm, of which he became sole proprietor at the death 
of his father. He has improved his home very much by erecting 
a good dwelling house and barn, and adding eighty acres. Cath- 
arine Birk became his wife May 8, 1851). To them were born 
eleven children : John, Ellis, Margaret, Rachel, Joseph (deceased), 
Anna, Lizzie, Jacob, Frank, Katie and Edward. Both husband 
and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Dem- 
ocrat, and cast his first vote for Greeley. 

ADAM SCHNARR is a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, 
where he was born November 25, 1825. His parents, Christian 
and Barbara (Breidenbaugh) Schnarr, came from the old coun- 
try, where the father was born about 1794, and the mother about 
three years later. They reached America in 1851 and settled in 
Dubois County, Ind., where the father died in 1867 and the mother 
in 1847. Adam learned the tailor's trade and worked at it until 
1846, when he came to the United States. After working in 
Pittsburgh, Penn., for two years, he came to Dubois County, and 
a year later bought the farm of eighty acres near Portersville, 
on which he lived until 1883, then moved to the above town. 
Mr. Schnarr married Margaret Hoffman in 1848. To them eight 
children were born: Henry, Adam, Peter, Carrie, John, Lee, 
Mollie and Annie F. Both husband and wife are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and he is a life-long Democrat, having cast 
his first vote for Pierce. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 713 

WILLIAM B. SHERRITT, a son of John and Jane (Brown) 
Sherritt, was born January 12, 1822. He received but little 
schooling, but by application and contact with business life, he 
has a good practical education. At the age of twenty -one, he 
began working on a farm of fifty-two acres of timber land given 
him by his father. In 1848, he bought out the heirs to the 
farm of 5(H) acres, on which he no;^^ lives. March 13. 1851, he 
married Miss Margaret CaVendetA^orn February 10, 1882, in 
Perry County, Ind. To them four children were born: Emma 
F., James W., AVilliam G. and Irvin B. James and Williani 
died in infancy, and at the age of twenty-three, Irviji was cut 
down in his young and vigorous manhood. His death occurred 
June 11, 18S5. Mr. Sherritt's parents were married in Troy, 
Ind., in 1828. The father died October 23, 1875, and the mother 
December 14, 187(). Our subject is a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church, and a stanch Republican, easting his 
first vote for Harrison. 

CHRISTIAN SINNING, son of John and Elizabeth (Tyler) 
Sinning, was born February 22, 1842. in Pittsburgli. Penn. His 
parents were natives of Germany, and immigrated to America in 
1827. The father was a miller by trade, but after coming to tlie 
United States, he located in Pittsburgh, and worked in an iron 
foundry till 1845, wlien he came to this county, locating on his 
farm of 200 acres, near Haysville. He sold that and ])ouglit 
eight}' acres in Boone Townshij). He again sold out and moved 
to Portersville, where he died in 187(5. The mother's death oc- 
curred eighteen years before. At the age of nineteen. Christian 
enlisted in Company I. Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and 
fought bravely at Shiloh, Grand Prairie, Ark.. Port Gibson, 
CJhampion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and Fort 
Blakely. December 18()5, he returned home. He was married 
March"lO, 1S(;3, to Margaret Meline. The fruits of this union 
are eleven children: Conrad, Caroline, John, Susannah, Eva, Liz- 
zie, George. Christian, Barbara, Amelia and Sebastian C. Both 
parents belong to the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a 
stanch Re]iublican, having cast his first vote for Gen. Grant. 
For a})out five years he farmed, and then began merchandising 
in Portersville, where he still continues in business. He has a 
farm in connection with his store, and is doing well. 

JESSE TRAYLOR, one of a large family of chihlren born 
to Joel and Catherine (Bomar) Traylor. was born January 1>, 
1820. The parents were natives of South (\ai-olina, where they 
followed farming till their removal to Pike County, Ind. Here 
Joel bought a farm of 1()0 acres, on which he and wife lived un- 
til their deaths. In 1841, Jesse came to Dubois County and pur- 
chased 200 acres of land. By hard work and good management. 



714 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

he succeoilcil in clearing about 125 acres. In iS-tl, lie married 
Jane McDonald, born in Dubois County, in 1(S2'2. To them were 
born these children: AVilliam A., Joel, Lockhart, Perr}- G., Louis, 
Ellis, Edward S., Albert and Basil. In l.S()l Mrs. Traylor died, 
and a }'ear later Mr. Traylor married Ma^aret Drinkhouse. 
They are the parents of three children: Geoi'ge, Kerr and Hugh. 
In politics Jesse is a Democrat, ne^-er having voted any other 
ticket. 

ALBERT H. TIvAYLOR, an enterprising young farmer of 
Dubois County, Ind., is a son of Jesse and Jane (McDonald) 
Traylor. Albert Avas born April 5, 1854-, in Dubois County. He 
received a practical business education in the common schools 
and at the age of seventeen, began working for wages on the 
farm; he was married to Frances A. Chattin, March 14, 187o. 
She was born April 10, LSol), and is a daughter of Nathaniel and 
Susan (Allen) Chattin. To Mr. and Mrs. Traylor were born 
five children: Charlotte J., Flora M. (deceased), Lola, Floyd 
and Bertha. Both husband and wife are members of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Traylor is an elder. 
He is a warm Democrat and cast his first vote for Tilden; he is 
a wide-awake and enterprising young man and is sure to make 
a success of life. 

J. N. WALLAH is <me of a family of seven children born to 
William and Sarah (Camp) Wallar. Both parents were born in 
Virginia, the father in 1S0<), and the mother in 1810. The 
father was a farmer and moved to Ohio where they remained till 
1851. His death occurred in 18()2 and his widow's in 1883. Oar 
subject was born July 9, 1885, in Guernsey County, Ohio. He re- 
ceived a practical business education, and at the age of twenty- 
seven years, began to work for himself; he soon after bought a 
farm of 120 acres, which he worked four years. In 18(3(3, lie 
came to this county and bought KJO acres, where he remained 
about thirteen years ; he then bought his present farm, of 240 acres. 
By hard work and good management he has made his farm one of 
the best in the township. September 5, 18(31, he married Margaret 
McVey, born February 8, 1842. To their union were born two 
children: Alice M. and Ida A., both of whom are married, the 
former to U. G. Bixley, and the latter to his brother AV. F. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Waller are members of tiie Methodist Church. He 
is a strong Ptepublican. 

HENRY WEISHEIT, one of two children of John and 
Elizabeth ( Baumbach ) Weisheit, was born in Germany April 10. 
1835. The father, who was a teamster, was born in 1818, and 
the mother in 1812. They came with our subject to this country 
in 1852. After residing here two years the father died, and in 
18(35 the mother passed from among the living. About 1855 our 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 715 

subject came to Dubois County, Ind., and purchased eighty acres 
of land, where he lived twenty -two years. He then sold out and 
bought the farm of 100 acres where he now lives. He was mar- 
ried to Emma Munkel. who has borne nine children: John, 
Josephine, Margaret, Joseph, Mary, Charles, August Otto, Anna 
and Christian. In 18(U, at his country's call, he shouldered his 
musket and went to the held to aid in the great struggle between 
North and South ; he aided in the battles of Nashville and Deca- 
tur, Tenn., Raleigh, N. C, and numerous others. Mr. Weisheit 
and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a warm 
Democrat in politics. 

SAMUEL W. WINEINGER is a son of John A. and Cath- 
erine Wineinger. The father, a native of Tennessee, was born 
in 1808. In 1835 he and his family moved to Orange County, 
Ind., where they lived about twenty-one years, and then came to 
this county. Samuel was born November 18, 1832, in Tennessee. 
He was poorly edvicated, the sum total of his schooling being 
about three months. In 1870 he came in possession of 160 acres 
of land, mostly timbered. He now has ninety acres cleared and 
under cultivation. He married Nancy A. Harris March 21, 1865. 
To them were born five children: Albert (deceased), Olga, Mar- 
shal (deceased). Homer, Delle and one unnamed. At the end of 
eight years his wife died, and January 6, 1879, he married 
Malissa Anderson, born August 14, 1852. They are the parents 
of four children : three unnamed and Dora. During the war Mr, 
Wineinger was mail carrier from Jasper to Albany. He is a 
Democrat, and cast his first vote for Douglas. He and wife are 
church members. 

JOHN P. WINEINGER, son of John A. and Catharine 
(Wineinger) Wineinger, was born February 28, 1840, in Orange 
County, Ind. He had poor advantages for education, but now is 
a good business man. At twenty-two years of age he began work- 
ing for himself on his father's farm. He now owns 200 acres of 
land, 100 under cultivation. About 1861 he married Rachel 
Corne, who lived only two years. A year later he took for his 
second wife, Maria White, who bore him four children : Irvie 
AV., Belle, Stella and Charles. After a few years she was called 
from among the living, and in 1877 he married again — Caroline 
Walters became his wife, born June 23, 1856. The family born 
to this union are Nancy A., Andrew, Harvey L. and Cora V. Mr. 
AVineinger is a warm Democrat, never having voted any other 
ticket. As a farmer he has been fairly successful, and he is much 
respected by his neighbors. 



716 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY, 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

GEORGE F. ATKINS, of Birdseye, Ind., was born Febru- 
ary 9, 1853, in Dubois County, liis parents being Martin and 
Elizabeth (Denbo) Atkins, who were natives of this county, 
where they still reside. Our subject received a very limited edu- 
cation, owing to the inconvenience of school surroundings. Thus 
his boyhood was passed, mainly at hard work on his father's 
farm. Principally by his own exertions he acquired sufficient 
education to teach. He taught several terms before his marriage 
with Mollie Hilt, of Perry County, Ind., October 19, 1873. Mr. 
Atkins has been teaching ever since with periods of rest. He 
taught his last term in the spring of 1884, and may be called a 
first class teacher. He sold his farm in Perry County, and came 
to Dubois County in 1879, where he purchased another farm. In 

1881 he sold this farm also, and engaged in general merchandise 
in Birdseye, with E. H. Baxter as partner. In 1885 he (our sub- 
ject) purchased the other's interest, and now controls the business. 
Mr. and Mrs. Atkins have four children: Eldora, Ella, Hattie 
and Charles Herbert. Mr. Atkins is a Republican, and a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., also of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
His wife is a Baptist. 

MATHIAS BREIT of Mentor, Ind., was born February 24, 
1849, in Prussia, Germany. John and Mary (Klein ) Breit were 
the parents of eight children, our subject being the oldest. The 
father who was a blacksmith, immigrated to the United States in 

1882 and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, the same year. The mother's 
death occurred in Germany in 1800. Our subject came to Am- 
erica in 1871. He had good educational advantages and came to 
the United States to escape regular army service at home. He 
worked in Philadelphia for some time and then came to St. 
Meinrad, Ind., and began blacksmithing and manufacturing 
wagons, buggies, etc. From there he moved to Mentor, Ind., 
where he accumulated property worth $1,000. All his people 
are in the United States except one brother who is still in Ger- 
many. He was married in December, 1876, to Katrina Rein- 
hart. They have had five children, two of whom are living: 
Charles and Anna. Mr. Breit is a Democrat and he and his 
family are Catholics. 

JOSEPH E. BUCHART of Schnellville, Ind., was born 
January 1, 1854. Edward and Katrina Buchart were the par- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 717 

?' 
ents of nine children, seven now living, our subject being the 
third in the family. The father was a native of this State and 
among the early settlers. The mother was a native of Germany. 
Our subject spent his boyhood at home on the farm, where he re- 
ceived a limited education in English, remaining there until he 
was twenty-three years of age. He then left , home and engaged 
i^ the general merchandise business at Schnellville, Ind., where 
he still continues to hold forth. He has a complete line of goods, 
carrying over a $10,000 stock, and has no competition in town. He 
was married, in May, 1878, to Catharine Schnell, daughter of 
Henry Schnell, the result of their union being two children: 
Edward and Harry. Mr. Buchart is a member of the Catholic 
Church and a Democrat in politics. 

WILLIAM M. CHANLEY, of Irish descent, was born De- 
cember 25, 1830, in Kentucky. He is a son of George W. and 
Malinda (Baysinger) Chanley, who were the parents of seven- 
teen children, ten of whom are now living. They were natives of 
Tennessee and Kentucky and came to Dubois County, Ind., where 
they have since resided. Our subject came to Indiana when 
about four years old, and was a pioneer boy on a wilderness farm 
till he was about twenty. He was married, October 31, 1855, to 
Sarah Miles, born and raised in southern Indiana. To them 
were born nine children, two of whom are dead. Those now 
living are Matilda, Mary, John W., Nancy J., Malinda, Barbara 
and Nora. After marriage Mr. Chanley settled on a farm of 
forty acres, all in heavy woods. He received no assistance and 
made what he has by his own exertions. He now owns 460 
acres of fine land, 180 acres being cleared. He deals quite ex- 
tensively in stock, and is a prosperous farmer. Mr. Chanley is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and a Democrat, and takes an 
active part in politics. He and wife are members of the Chris- 
tian Church. 

SAMPSON COX was born October 12, 1851, in Dubois County, 
Ind., and is the eldest of eleven children born to James and 
Nancy (Conley) Cox. The father was born in Kentucky, and 
came with his parents to Dubois County at the age of seven 
years. Here he was married and now lives. Our subject re- 
mained at home with his parents until he reached his majority, 
when he began working for himself. His previous education was 
quite limited, but he now began attending school at Marengo 
Academy, and getting a good classical and literary education. 
He made his own way through school, doing farm work between 
terms. At the age of sixteen he began teaching in Dubois 
County, and has continued in that work ever since, with the ex- 
ception of his academic schooling. He also owns 120 acres of 
land, which he farms siiccessfully. Sixty acres are under culti- 



718 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

vation. and the rest is in timber land. December 25, 1878, lie 
married ^Eaggie A. AVheeler, of Perry County, Ind., the result of 
this union heiug one child — a son — Lunsford E. Mr. Cox is a 
Democrat and a Mason. He is a minister in the Christian 
Church, and lias been such for fourteen years. 

CH.AELES C. CUMMINGS was born March 3, 1826, in 
Tennessee. He is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Johnson) Cum- 
mings, who were the parents of nine children, our subject being 
the youngest and the only one now living; the rest died of con- 
sumption. The parents were natives of Tennessee, where the 
mother died. The father moved to Dubois County, Ind., near 
Huntingburgh, and died very suddenly on liis way home from 
that place. He left a wife and three daughters, our subject be- 
ing his only son. Charles C. was raised by Berry T. Goodman, 
who married his sister. He was an excellent man and a first- 
class citizen. Charles was married, at the age of twenty, to 
Nancy Hobbs, a daughter of Hiram Hobbs, one of the very first 
settlers of Dubois County. They have seven children, all now 
grown. After marriage Mr. Cummings worked until he had ac- 
cumulated $25. He then borrowed $25 more from his brother, 
and entered forty acres of land. By industry and attention to 
business he now owns 1,080 acres of splendid farming land. He 
has given each of his seven children eighty acres of land, and yet 
has 520 acres, well stocked, and under good cultivation. His 
children's names are Thomas, Hiram, Woodson, Nancy Jane, 
Andrew, John and Maze. He is a Democrat in politics, all his 
sons being the same. He and wife are members of the Christian 
Church. 

JOHN CUMMINGS, fifth son of Charles Cummings, was 
born February 0, 1857, in Dubois County, Ind. He was raised 
Jt home on his father's farm, and received a common school edu- 
cation. At the age of twenty-two years he began working for 
himself. February 2f), 1879, he was married, and began his 
wedded life on a farm, which was presented liim by his father. 
He has continued farming since that time, and now owns eighty 
acres of good land. He married Mrs. Alice (Brown) White, of 
Newton Stewart, Orange Co., Ind., the result of this union being 
two children: Benton D. and Dessie May. Mrs. Cummings' par- 
ents were natives of Maryland and Indiana. Her relatives now 
live in Orange County. Mr. Cummmings and wife are*members of 
the Christian Church. He is a Democrat, and his brothers and 
father are the same. He was elected trustee in the spring of 
1884, and now holds that office. 

MAETIN ECKERT was born September 25, 1844, in Prus- 
sia, Germany, and is the eldest of six children born to George 
and Catharine (Volkman) Eckert, who were natives of the same 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



721 



province and came to the United States in 1854, landing at New 
Orleans and settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they lived for 
about eighteen months. From there they came to Dubois County, 
TT>d. The father was a plasterer by trade and died in 1859. 
The motJier is still living. Our subject lived on a farm till the 
war broke out, when he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-eighth 
Indiana Volunteers, and served three years and eleven months. 
He was in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, 
Jonesboro, and with Sherman on his march to the sea; after 
coming home he worked for some time on a farm. November 11, 
1866, he married Alice Howard, who has borne him nine children. 
Mr. Eckert is a well to do farmer and now owns 364 acres of 
good land. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the 
Masonic lodge and G. A. R. 

HENRY W. FARVER, a prominent cbuggist of Birdseye, 
Ind., was born March 15, 1845, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
His parents were George W. and Eliza (Cazier) Farver. His 
father moved from Pennsylvania to Michigan in 1864 and bought 
a fine farm on which he yet resides. His mother died in August, 
1883. His educational advantages were quite limited. He en- 
tered the army at the age of eighteen, enlisting in 186)4, and re- 
mained till the close of the war. After coming home he began 
the study of medicine which he pursued at intervals for fifteen 
years. At this time he was in Indiana, from thence he went to 
the West Indies and began shipping red cedar timber to Ger- 
many. England and France. He left the West Indies and came 
to Indiana in 1880: he lived in various counties in this State and 
finally settled in Birdseye, where he has since been selling drugs. 
He now owns two drug stores, one in Birdseye and the other in 
Riceville, this State. He has an excellent stock and his business 
is comparatively large. He has led quite an adventurous life, 
being twice shipwrecked on account of storms, once having to 
swim two miles to reach the shore. His father was a Democrat 
in politics but at the opening of the war our subject became a 
Republican and is a prominent member of that party. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., of Birdseye. 

JOSEPH F. FAITLKNER, M. D., of Birdseye, Ind., was 
born in Green County. Ky., March 2, 1834. He was one of 
eleven children born to William and Anna (Harned) Faulkner. 
His father was born and raised in Kentucky and his mother in 
Virginia. They were married in Indiana, whither she had gone 
to live; soon after they removed to Kentucky and began farm 
life, where they remained till 1841, when they purchased a farm 
in Orange County, Ind., and moved there. Here his father died 
in 1858. The mother remained on the farm till 1880, when she 
moved to Paoli and died in 1883. Our subject lived with his 



722 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

parents until of age, at which time he began teaching school. 
His educational opportunities were very limited, he only getting 
the benefit of schooling for about one year, owing to the fact that 
there were no schools near his home. When about grown he 
procured some books and by his own exertions acquired sufiicienl. 
education to teach school. He began teaching when about twenty- 
one years old and continued in that work for about twelve years. 
As a teacher he was appreciated as one of the most successful of 
his day. During intervals between terms of school he worked on 
a farm until 1864, when, owing to a wound received in the army, 
he was compelled to quit teaching and chose medicine as a pro- 
fession. He began practicing in 1872, at Schnellville, Ind., and 
has since been successfully engaged in that profession, practicing 
over ten years in Schnellville. He then removed to Birdseye, 
where he has since made his home and built up a good practice. 
In December, of 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-ninth 
Illinois Volunteers, and was in the battles of Fort Donelson and 
Shiloh ; in the latter battle he was severely wounded in the foot, 
which has caused him much trouble ever since. He was honor- 
ably discharged in August, 1862. Our subject was married, 
October 20, 1863, to Sarah C. Long, the result of this union being 
seven children, six of whom are living: Emma, Charles, John, 
William, Anna and Marion Marcus. The Doctor is a Bepublican, 
{uid is recognized as one of the leading men in this section of the 
county. He is a Freemason and a member of the G. A. R. He 
and wife are members of the Baptist Church. 

FREDERICK GOBBEL, M. D., of Birdseye, Ind., was born 
October 18, 1831, in Orange County, Ind. He is the eldest of 
seven children born to Absalom and Julia Anne (Davis) Gob- 
bel. Absalom was a farmer by occupation and a native of Orange 
County, N. C. The mother was bom in Kentucky and was mar- 
ried to Mr. Gobbel in Orange County, Ind., where they made 
their home. Our subject remained at home receiving an ordin- 
ary education at the district schools. When twenty years of age 
he married Hannah Hammond, of Orange County, December 1, 
1850, who bore him five children. The eldest, Frederick R., is 
aow practicing medicine in Grantsburg ; the youngest Francis O. 
has now begun the study of medicine. Soon after marriage our 
subject began keeping a dry goods store. At the end of eight 
y«ar8t he closed out, moved to Orange County and began studying 
medicine; moved back to Unionville and began practicing, 
graduating at Indianapolk Medical College in 1873. He prac- 
ticed at Unionville until 1875 and then moved to Grantsburg and 
remained till 1879. He then gave up his profession and invested 
about $4,000 in a saw and grist-milL In this he was not very 
successful, so began practicing medicine again, this time in Birds- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 723 

eye. Dr. Gobbel lived with his wife till 1878. He married 
Maggie Nelson of Louisville, Ky., September 17, 1884. He is 
a Democrat in politics and is a man of influence, has been a dele- 
gate to Congressional and State conventions divers times. He is 
a member of the Christian Church and his wife is a Presby- 
terian, 

ISAAC L. HOBBS was born in Perry County, Ind., July 6, 
1841. His parents were Hiram and Sabra (Hifield) Hobbs, who 
were natives of Virginia and Indiana. At the age of eighteen 
Hiram left Virginia, came West, and finally settled in Perry 
County, Ind., where he entered land at $1.25 per acre. At that 
time the country was a wilderness inhabited by Indians and wild 
animals. The father and his family wore clothing made from 
the hides of deer, and were entirely dependent on their own exer- 
tions for a living. Our subject remained with his father until 
twenty-six years of age, when he married and began farming in 
Dubois County, Ind. He married Nancy Bradshaw, December 
29, 1865. To them were born eight children: Sarah M., Joseph 
S., Sabra B., Maude, Marietta, Charles, Emma and Rosa. Mr. 
Hobbs has been a successful farmer. He began life very poor 
but now owns 300 acres of good land, well stocked and conven- 
iently arranged, of which 200 acres are under cultivation. This 
he has made by his own exertions. He is a Democrat in politics 
and takes great interest in political affairs. He had three sons 
who took an active part in the late war, one serving the entire 
time, another two years and the other about eighteen months. 

AMERICUS J. HUBBARD, a prominent man of Birdseye, 
Ind., was bom November 10, 1845. He is a brother of Charles 
J. (elsewhere written), and the eldest of the family. His father 
and mother were natives of Vermont. The father's death occurred 
in 1877, preceded by his wife in 1870. Our subject remained 
at home, where he attended the graded schools until the breaking 
out of the war, when he enlisted in his country's service in Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Volunteers, and mustered 
out at the close of the war. After coming home he attended two 
terms of school at Berea. He then remained at home until his 
marriage with Elvira Hestong, July 26, 1869. He was given 
the position of foreman in the Bedford Rolling-mill Company 
where he remained about three years. He went to the old home 
and staid there until after his father's death, and then came to 
Dubois County and worked at making staves until 1884, where he 
engaged in general merchandising, still •ontinuing the store busi- 
ness. He is a Freemason and I. O. O. F., and a stanch Repub- 
lican in politics. He was well acquainted with James A. Oar- 
field, being raised near the martyred President's old home. 



724 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COIXTV. 

CHARLES J. HUBBARD, of the firm of Hubbuid Bros., 
of Birdseye, Ind., was born February 15, IH^yC), in Bedford. Ohio. 
He is the youngest of three cliildren born to Hine and Thankful 
(Francis) Hubbard. He received the advantages of a high school 
education at Bedford, and afterward attended Oberlin College 
two terms, receiving a literary and commercial education; heM^as 
a teacher both before and after attending college, and was very 
successful; at the age of twenty he went to California, teaching 
there for about four and a half years: he returned to Shoals, 
Ind., and began keeping books for McGregor & Hubbard, a. stave 
firm of that place ; he came to Birdseye about a year later ; in the 
spring of 1882, he engaged in the grocery business for himself, 
remaining thus engaged for about one year, and then began a 
general merchandise business in which he was joined by his 
brother A. J. They have a thriving trade. Charles was married 
October 4, 1881, to Anna I. Dillon, of Columbus, Ind. They 
have one child, a son, Charles Hine. In politics Mr. Hub- 
bard is a Republican and a member of the A. F. & A. M. and 
I. O. O. F. 

JAMES M. INGLE, of Dubois County, Ind., was born De- 
cember 11, 1837. in Harrison County, Ind. His parents, Samuel 
and Margaret (Crowder) Ingle, had two children, our subject 
being the younger. The father was born and raised in Tennes- 
see, and came to Indiana in 1832, being among the first settlers 
of Harrison County; he endured many of the hardships of frontier 
life, and died in 1853, preceded by the wife's death in 1839. For 
some time after his father's death our subject worked about 
among the farmers of the neighborhood and earned his living as 
best he could; he worked for seven years as teamster about a 
large mill; he then came to Dubois County, and after remaining 
a year, bought 120 acres of land, mostly wooded. At the break- 
ing out of the war he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-third Indi- 
ana Infantry, and served three years and three months ; he was 
at the siege of Vicksburg, in the main battle of Mobile, at Holly 
Springs, Nashville, Tenn., and many others of* note; he was dis- 
charged November, 18(35, and went to his farm in Dubois Coun- 
ty, and was married in 18(57 to Martha Underbill, of Crawford 
County, this State, the result of this union being eleven children, 
who are all at home. Mr. Ingle is a Democrat, and a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is a member of the 
Christian Church. 

ENOCH E. INMANN, of Birdseye, Ind., was bom xebruary 
20, 1843, in Schuyler County, 111. He is one of thirteen chil- 
dren born to Pamenius and Martha E. (Pascal) Inman, who 
were natives of Tennessee, and came to Indiana during Dubois 
County's early settlement. After a time they moved to Illinois, 



DlOCRAPillCAL SKETCHES. 725 

v.lieie our Hubjec-t was Ixnn. TJie father died in iSU, of scarlet 
if>ver. After his death tlip iiiot]}er moved to Dubois County, 
where she died in Is.r,. Our subject was raised on a farm, and 
entered the army at the age of ei-iiteen: he enlisted in Company 
I. Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, and was discharged De- 
cember :5t 1S();3; he re-enlisted in the same company in 18G5 
when Ib^ was mustered out; he was in the Missouri' campaicrn' 
a!id at Shiloh. Corinth. Grand Prairie. Port Gibson. C^hampron 
Kdl. siege and surrender of Vicksburg, Fort Blakelv. Mobile, and 
was on garrison duty at Galveston. Coming from" the army he 
began farming. In lybi) he sold liis farm and moved to Martin 
County, Ind., and bought another farm; he remained here 
aliout twelve years, and tJien came to Birdseve ; he was married 
October 22, 18()t>, to Clarissa Hawhe. of Orange County, Ind., 
lo whom were born six children, three now living: Lillie L 
Pamenius E. and Alvin H. This wife died June 11, 1S78. He 
was married to Martha J. Jacolis. of Birdseye, July 5, 1879. He 
is a reliable Piepnblican, and a member of the G. A. K. He and 
wife are memliers of the Methodist Church. 

JEREMIAH W. JACOBS, was born October 10, 1845, in 
Dubois County, Ind, He is a son of David M., aod Elizabeth 
(Kellams) Jacobs, both natives of Dubois County, and who after- 
ward moved to Orange County near Paoli. The 'father was born 
August 28, 182-1. and died November »), 1857. The mother was 
born July 8. 1828, and died July U, 187(5. Our subject's educa- 
tion is limited owing to the undeveloped system of sdiools at that 
time. AVhen the war broke out he enlisted in the Thirteenth In- 
diana Cavalry. He was at Franklin. Tenn.. Murfreesboro oppos- 
ing Hood's invasion from Atlanta. Was at Mobile, Ala., and in 
several cavalry skirmishes and six regular engagements. ' He re- 
ceived his discharge in November 18(15, with the rest of the reg- 
iment. On coming home from the army he engaged in black- 
smithmg m Orange County, Ind., continuing in the shop two 
years, at the end of which he went to Newton Stewart Ind 
audbegan a shop of his own. In 18()9 he became clerk in 
Pritchard & Hadle s dry goods store in the above place, remain- 
ing one year. He then engaged in drugs at the same place with 
Capt. William Swift. In 1872 he began the peddling business 
continuing m it three years. In 187(5 he came to Birdseye Ind ' 
and resumed his business, and now owns several lots in Birdseye' 
August 12. 18()9, he married Lucinda Brown, who has liorne him 
six chddren: Alicia. Viola. John E.. Sarah E., Hattie F.. Ervin 
O. and Ethel. Mr. Jacobs is a Mason and a member of the I O 
O. F., Lodge <;!)4. and G. A. R, and a Republican, and has been 
elected to two township offices but declined to serve He wis 
elected justice of the peace at Birdseve, and is a member of i^'e 



726 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTy. 

Reformed Methodist Church. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church proper. 

GEORGE W. KING, son of Isaac and Catharine (Borden) 
King, natives of Kentucky, was born June 4, 1830, in Harbison 
County, Ind. The parents were married in Indiana and lived 
successively in this State and Kentucky, and finally settled near 
Birdseye, Ind., where the father died in 1881. The mother still 
lives with a daughter on the old homestead, and is seventy-seven 
years of age. George, the subject of this sketch, received a com- 
mon school education in the country schools of his county, and 
in early life followed farming for his father with whom he re- 
mained till 1857, when he married Mary Anne Kendall, March 
12, 1857. The result of this union was fourteen children, eight 
now living: Isabel (Potter), Jane (Grant), Elijah M., Emily 
(Montgomery), Amanda E., Phoebe M., Theodore and Alvin R. 
After marriage Mr. King began farming on some vacant land 
near Mentor, Ind. He soon after bought forty acres of land, on 
which part of Birdseye now stands. In 1854 he bought eighty 
acres more. In 1885 he traded this farm for one of ninety-four 
acres near Schnellville where he now lives. He is a Republican, 
and did a great deal for the North during war times, although he 
did not enter the army owing to his large helpless family, who 
needed his support at home. He and family are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

AUGUST H. KOERNEE of Birdseye, Ind., was born Septem- 
ber 4, 1846, in Prussia, Germany, he is a son of John and Louisa 
(Pipper) Koerner. both natives of Germany. John Koernerwas 
a railroad contractor in the old country, but on coming to the 
United States in 1851, engaged in general merchandise business 
in Franklin County, Ind., which is now carried on by one of his 
sons. The mother died in 1874. August our subject, received 
a good education in English and German, and at the age of fif- 
teen attended a commercial college in Cincinnati, Ohio, for about 
five months. Leaving this school, he was given a clerkship in 
a fancy grocery store in Cincinnati, and soon became traveling 
agent for the firm and remained with them about ten years. He 
then went into the stave business with his brother Louis in 
eastern Kentucky, where he remained two or three years. They 
then removed to near Cincinnati, where they remained about three 
years and then came to Birdseye, and entered into partnership 
with another brother. Louis then left the firm and his brother 
William took his place. They have been very successful in their 
business affairs and now own two portable factories near the 
town which brings them in an annual income of over $30,000. 
Besides this they own 2,800 acres of good timber land in Dubois 
County, 120 in Pike, 160 in Crawford, 160 in Perry and prop- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 727 

erty to the amount of $2,500 in Birdseye. They represent the 
Standard Oil Company, and are supplying staves to them. Their 
business in 1884 amounted to about $52,000. August was mar- 
ried in Cincinnati, July 28, 1874, to Antonia Arand, the result 
of the union being three children: Louis, August and Norma. 
He is a Democrat, and a leading man of his party. He is a Free- 
mason, and he and family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

HERMAN T. KOERNER, a brother of A. H. Koerner, and a 
partner with him in the stave business in Birdse)e, Ind., was 
born March 23, 1853, in Franklin County, Ind. He received a 
good common school education, and at the age of thirteen at- 
tended a commercial college in Dayton, Ohio, for one year. Soon 
after he received a position as clerk in a wholesale and retail 
hardware store in Cincinnati, Ohio. This position he held for 
four years. About this time he went to Lake County, 111., and 
engaged in the general merchandise business with Frank Zim- 
mer, where he remained eight years. He then returned to his 
father in Franklin County, Ind., and remained two years. In 
1880 he came to Birdseye and entered into the stave business 
with his brother August. He was married, August 29, 1876, to 
Carrie Sandman, a native of Lake County, 111. To them were 
born two children — one boy (infant) and one girl, Louisa. He 
belongs to the Democratic party and to the fraternity of Masons. 
He and family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

WILLIAM N. KOERNER was born July 20, 1861, in 
Franklin County, Ind. His parents were John and Louisa (Pep- 
per) Koerner. The father is now a merchant in Franklin 
County, Ind. The mother's death occurred in 1874. Our sub- 
ject received a good common school education, and when about 
sixteen years of age went to Illinois and learned the tinner's 
trade, working four years. He then plied his trade in Pepper- 
town, Ind., till 1883, when he came to Birdseye, Ind., and entered 
into partnership with his brothers, Herman and August, who sold 
general merchandise. In 1884 Frank Zimmer, of Illinois, 
bought the interest of the two older brothers, and the firm 
became known as Koerner & Zimmer. They carry a very large 
stock, including dry goods, boots, hats, caps, queensware, glass- 
ware, groceries and clothing, also a line of farming imple- 
ments. Their building is the finest in the township, and is worth 
about $3,000. Mr. Koerner is a member of the Lutheran Church 
and a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of town 
trustee two terms. 

JOSEPH MAIN, who is a son of Johnson C. and Sarah 
(Wilson) Main, was born June 28, 1829, in Dubois County, Ind., 
and is the eldest of ten children. The parents were natives of 
Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and came to Indiana when quite 



728 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

young. They married and lived near Huntingburgli, where the 
father, who was a United Brethren minister, died in 1842. The 
mother's death occurred December 22, 1884, aged seventy-six 
years. Our subject passed his boyhood on a farm and received 
but little schooling. He has been married three times. His first 
wife, Abigail Hamilton, bearing one son, George Samuel (de- 
ceased), died in 1852; his second, Sarah Shoulders, bore four 
children, three now living: Mary E., Kachael J. and Sarah C. 
This wife died in 1859. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth (Black) 
Sullivan, the result of this union being nine children, eight now 
living: Martha Anne (deceased). Precious, William T., Jeremiah, 
Simon P., Joseph M., John H. L., Nancy L. and Samuel W. 
This wife died in 1880. Joseph, our subject, started in life a 
poor boy, but by industry he now owns 12H acres of good land. 
He is a Mason and a Democrat. His grandfather came to this 
State in very early times, and he and family were obliged to pro- 
tect themselves from the Indians l)y means of a fort. 

CATESBY J. MAYFIELD was born January 7, 1837, in 
Shelby County, Ky., and is a son of Southerland and Amelia 
Mayfield, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Ontario, 
Canada. They made Kentucky their home, and in that State the 
father died in August, 18<)2. The mother still resides with a 
daughter in Kentucky. Our subject passed his boyhood on a 
farm and received a common school education, the advantages at 
that time being very limited. At the age of fourteen, he went to 
Louisville, Ky., and engaged as a clerk in a grocery establish- 
ment, and six years later, removed to central Indiana, and became 
mechanical engineer on a railroad. In August, 1801, he went to 
Bowling Green and enlisted in the First Regiment Kentucky Cav- 
alry, remaining in the service nearly four years. October 20, 1801, 
he was wounded in the leg in a skirmish ; April, 18(52, he went 
with Bragg into Kentucky, and November 19, was mustered 
out to recruit. He re-enlisted for three years, was chosen first 
lieutenant of Company B, First Kentucky Cavalry. March, 
1803, he was appointed assistant quartermaster, and Novem- 
ber 1, was commissioned captain and quartermaster of the regiment. 
He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Rocky Face Gap, Resaca, 
Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and many of the battles of North and 
South Carolina and Georgia. May 25, 1805, he was discharged, and 
came home and engaged in the lumber business for firms in Ken- 
tucky, and came to Birdseye, Ind., August 28, 1882, and entered 
in the drug business in which he has been very successful. At 
the age of forty-seven, he married Helen Thornton, of Ontario, 
Canada, June 11, 1885. In politics he is a Democrat, and a 
member of the F. & A. M. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 729 

SAMUEL M. NASH, born May 13, 1838, in Westi loreland 
County, Penn., is a son of Zenas and Eebecca (AVilson) Nash, ^yhr, 
were also natives of Pennsylvania. The father's death occurretl 
in 1871. and the mother" s in 1878. The family came to Crawford 
County, Ind., in 1859. Samuel M., our subject, received but 
little education in boyhood, and remained at home until he was 
twenty-three years old, when he enlisted in the army, joinin;/ 
Company H. Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, and remained in th' 
held over four years, and was in many battles. At Fort Hei.ry 
and Sliiloh he received a shell wound in the left temple and iwu: 
He participated in the battles of Corinth, Bolivar, Memphi.s, 
Lf \'.e Providence, Milligan"s Bend and Grand Gulf, and also thr- 
siege of Vicksburg. March, 1864, he came home on a thirty 
ilay's furlough, but returned and was with Sherman in his maroli 
to the sea. He '^taid with Sherman's troops till the regiment 
was sent to Louisville, and then came to Indianapolis. Ind., whs-re 
he was discharged. He received considerable injury by exposure, 
liut was in the hospital only three days of the whole term. After 
his return, he engaged in farming in Crawford County, Ind., and 
remained there until 1878. From there he went to Pike County, 
where he remained until 1882, and then came to Birdseye and 
engaged in hotel business, at which he has been very successful. 
He was united in marriage to Susie C. Blunk, September 21*, 
1870. Her grandfather was one of the first settlers of Harrison 
County, Ind. Mr. Nash is a Freemason and a member of the G. 
A. R. since 1884. He is a Republican in politics, casting his first 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. 

JOHN O. NASH, brother of Samuel M. Nash (elsewhere 
written), was born November 23, 1840, in Westmoreland Coun- 
ty, Penn. The subject of our biography left home at the 
early age of thirteen. He received a very limited education, 
owing to the scarcity of schools in his neighborhood at that time. 
At the age of fifteen he began driving carts on the railroad for 
$8 per month, his wages afterward being raised to $10 and 
$13 per month. At the age of twenty-three he was married, 
and began farming for himself on forty acres of land which he 
bought in Crawford County, Ind. In 1880 he moved to Dubois 
Cbunty and bought a farm of sixty-four acres adjoining Birdseye. 
which he has since increased to 193 acres, besides owning 
houses and lots in Birdseye. Mr. Nash trades extensively in 
lumber for Ingle of Evansville, handling over 2,000,000 feet of 
lumber in the last four years. He was married, in 1863, to 
Rachel Blunk, who bore him two sons : John and Thomas. His 
wife died in 1870, and in 1873 he took for his second wife Alta 
Hughes, the result of this union being five children: Alice, Hat- 
tie, Ann.ie ( il.^ceaso.l i. juid Holier and Herman (twins). Mr.. 



730 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Nash has been very successful financially. He is a Democrat, 
although the rest of his people are Repuolicans. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F. His father 
was among the first settlers of Crawford County. 

PETER NEWTON, attorney, of Birdseye, Ind., was born in 
1825, in Crawford County, Ind. His parents, James and Mar- 
garet (King) Newton, had fourteen children, of which only four 
are living. They still reside on their farm near Birdseye, and 
are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Our subject received but 
little education, but aided his father in his store. By the assist- 
ance of a brother he was taught to read, and learned the funda- 
mental rules of arithmetic. At the age of eighteen he began 
driving a peddling wagon for his father, who sold goods near 
Birdseye, and traded in venison, wild turkeys and the skins of 
various wild animals, such as deer, coons, etc. At the close of 
seven years he was married to Nancy M. Harmon, March, 1847, 
the result of this union being five children, four now living: 
James W., Joseph B., Peter B. and Louisa J. After the mar- 
riage he engaged in merchandising, and continued in this business 
till 1875. He was entirely broken up in business twice, but, at 
last, was financially successful. He retired and bought his 
father's farm of 160 acres, which he had once lost in one of his 
failures. In 1878 he began the practice of law and still con- 
tinues in that profession. He is a member of the Reformed 
Methodist Church, and a local minister, serving in that capacity 
for twenty -three years. He is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity and a warm Republican. He enlisted in the Forty-fourth In- 
diana Infantry, and volunteered twice, but was rejected, but was 
accepted in 1864. He was on garrison duty at Chattanooga most 
of the time, and received an injury for which he now receives a 
pension. 

JOHN OTT was born December 21, 1820, in Belmont 
County, Ohio, and is the eldest son of five children born to Mar- 
tin and Mary (Gossett) Ott. The father was born in Germany 
and came to Ohio when a small lad. The mother was of German 
descent, born in Pennsylvania and came with her parents to Ohio 
when quite young. They were married and lived in that State 
until their respective deaths. Martin Ott was a farmer, and a 
good and worthy man. His death occurred in 1853, his wife 
dying thirty years later. The subject of our memoir was raised 
on a farm and received a common school education. When 
twenty years old, he began building fences for Ohio farms, con- 
tinuing in this business five years, then began working on a rented 
farm in Ohio. He moved to Dubois County, Ind., in October, 
1865, and in 1866 he bought 120 acres of land near Birdseye, 
where he has since lived. He now owns 100 acres, well stocked 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 731 

and improved. He was married in 1851, to Eachel Edwards, of 
Ohio, to which marriage four children have been born, three now 
living: Thomas B., Lewis M. and John W. Mr. Ott is a Repub- 
lican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

JOHN PRUITT, of Mentor, Ind., was born December 24, 
1844, in Orange County, Ind. He is a son of John and Nancy 
(Grimes) Pruitt, natives of Kentucky, who came to Birdseye, 
Ind., about 1840, and still live there where they own eightj 
acres of land. Our subject's educational advantages were limited, 
as the schools at that tim6 were very imperfect. His boyhood 
was spent on a farm, and at the age of twenty he began working 
on a farm of his own, where part of Mentor now stands. He 
continued farming until 1880, on eighty acres of land and made 
a success, financially. He then began the general merchandise 
business in Mentor, in connection with farming. He carries a 
capital line of goods, and is doing well. He was married in 
March, 1864, to Malinda A. Blunk, the result of this union 
being eight children, five now living: William L., Nancy ML, 
Joseph, Charlotte and Matilda. Mr. Pruitt is a Democrat, and 
was township trustee for three terms, the first being in 1874 and 
closing in 1880. He is a leading politician and a worthy citizen. 

CHARLES RESS of Mentor, Ind., was born February 12, 
1861, in Germany. He is one of six sons born to Francis and 
Mariana (Kliem) Ress. The father has been a farmer all his life, 
and still lives in Germany. The mother died August 7,1879. Our 
subject received a good German education, and came to the United 
States January 31, 1883, landing in New York. He came to 
Tell City, Ind., and began working in a furniture factory for his 
uncle, with whom he remained about four months, then went to 
St. Meinrad, Ind., and engaged in the wagon-making business 
for himself. He continued there over a year and then came to 
Man tor, where he still resides and is doing a paying business. 
He was married April 29, 1884, to Frances Mehling, who was 
born and raised in Spencer County, Ind. The result of this union- 
is one child, a boy, Frank August. Mr. Ress and wife are 
members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, i ' 

JAMES E. SANDERS was born January 7, 1820, in Spencer 
County, Ind. His" parents were Thomas and*' 'Frances (Kason) 
Sanders. The father was a nativj^ of Tennessee and came to In- 
diana a short time after he "was married, and was among the early 
settlers; he was a cripple and was obliged to rely upon James E. 
for the family support. James remained with his father until 
after he was married. His education is quite limited, his boy- 
hood having been spent hard at work on the farm. December 17, 



732 HISTORY OF uubois county. 

1844, he married Martha Heinleiii, the result of tlieir union ])e- 
ing ten chiklren, eight now living. For his second wife he mar- 
ried Sarah Messer, who bore him four children, only one now 
living. Our subject lived for some time on a farm west of 
Schnellville, Ind. He sold this and bought a farm of lOO acres 
two miles east of that place and commenced farming. He began 
life a poor boy, but by industry he became the possessor of '242 
acres of good land. He has divided it among his sons and now 
has about thirty-five acres of his own. In politics he was a Whig, 
but since the <,)rganizatioii of the Re}m])lican party he has been 
one of its supporters. During the war he enlisted in Company I, 
Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, but served only about nine 
months, owing to sickness. He and wife are members of tlie 
Christian Church. 

FRANCIS M. SANDERS, of Mentor, IjuI., was l)orn Octo- 
ber 8, 182(), in Tennessee. His parents were Thomas and Fran- 
ces (Kason) Sanders, who were natives of Tennessee and 
Virginia, respectively. The father was a farmer by occu})ation, 
and died in 18.j3, and the mother in 1835. Our subject })assed 
his boyhood on a farm and endured many of the hardships of pi- 
oneer life. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Osborn, the result be- 
ing two children, only one now living: Mary T. In 1852 the 
wife died and in 185() he married Nancy Hayes, of Pike County, 
Ind., who has borne him six children, five now living: Elizabeth 
(Cox), Jane, Ellen, Nora Anne, Susan and James F. After his 
first marriage Mr. Sanders took some government land in Spencer 
County and lived on it four years, and then traded it for another 
farm in the same neighborhood, where he remained eight years. 
In 181)0 he came to Dubois County and bought a farm where 
Mentor now stands.. He laid out the town and donated a lot for 
the first building in the town. He was raised a Whig, and now 
is a rigid Republican, casting a vote for every Republican Presi- 
dent of the United States, only two being lost — for Fillmore and 
Blaine. He and wife and one daughter are members of the 
Christian Church. Mr. Sanders spent one year, from 1853 to 
1854, flat-boating on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. 

MARTIN SANDERS is a son of James E. Sanders, and was 
born March 17, 1850, in Spencer County, Ind. He passed his 
boyhood on a farm, but owing to his being needed at home he 
received but very little schooling. He remained at home until 
he was twenty-five }'ears of age, working most of the time for his 
father. At the age of twenty-five he married Laura Main, 
November 30, 1875, to whom were born four children, three now 
living: Samuel S., Martha J. and James O. The wife was born 
in Knox County, and raised in Dubois County, Ind. Just before 
marriage Mr. Sanders bought forty acres of kind, and his father 



E'^r^lAPHICAL SKETCHES. 733 

increased this by twenty-five acres. He now lias iOO acres^aJboiit 
seventy of wliich are under good cultivation. He and liis wite 
are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican in 
politics. 

JOHN P. SALB, of Schnellville, Ind., was born June 8, 
1854, in Vinesburg, Ohio. He is a son of John and Barbara 
(Hauser) Saib, and is the second of three children born to them. 
The parents were natives of Germany, and came to*the United 
States in 1851, settling first in New York, then in Vinesburg, 
Ohio, and lastly in Jasper, Ind., where the mother died in 
1877, and where the father still lives. Our subject received 
a common school education, mostly in German. After support- 
ing himself for some time he attended the medical depart- 
ment of the Butler University two terms, and received a di- 
ploma. He began practicing medicine in Schnellville in 188(). 
and still continues at that Avork, and is the only doctor in 
the town. He has a good ])ractice, and owns two lots and 
a residence. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and T\-ife 
are members of the Catholic Church. He wns married Julv 24. 
1883, to Miss Maggie B. Betz, of Schnellville. the result of their 
union being two children: Mary and August. 

HENRY SCHNELL, of Schnellville, Ind.. was born O..-:. - 
ber 22, 1821, in Germany. He is a son of Henry and Marif 
(Schnell) Schnell, who lived and died in Germany. Henrv. oxu' 
subject, remained in Germany until he was tAventy-five year? old. 
where he received good educational advantages in German. He 
then came to the United States, and Avorked on the railroad, 
steamboats and Erie Canal for three years. He then returned to 
Germany, where he remained nine months. At the end of that 
time he came back to America and settled in Dubois County. Ind.. 
where he bought forty acres of land. He sold out at the "end of 
the year, and went to Louisville, Ky., and worked about as of 
yore. He returned in three years and began keeping a country 
store, and in 1858 bought a farm and sold it again in 1859*. ill 
1861 he bought another and engaged in farming. He enlisted 
in Company I, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and served three 
years. He was at the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Port 
Gibson, Champion Hill and numerous others. Returning from 
the war he began farming, at which he has continued ever since. 
In 1865 he laid out a town on his land, and called it Schnell- 
ville. In 1876 he built a large saAv and flouring-mill there, which 
he gave to his two sons in 1882. He owns between 500 and 600 
acres of land, besides town property in Schnellville. He was mar- 
ried in Germany in 1842, but when he revisited the scenes of his 
boyhood his wife was dead, leaving two sons, one now dead, and 
the other living in Kansas. In 1851 he wedded Theresa Hil- 



734 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

bert, who has borne him twelve children, eight now living. He 
and his family are Catholics, and he is a Democrat. He was 
township trustee from 1865 to 1875, and county commissioner 
from 1879 to 1882. 

MARTIN SCHNELL, son of Henry Schnell, was born Sep- 
tember 7, 1859, at Schnellville, Ind., where he received common 
school advantages in the English language. His boyhood was 
passed on his father's farm, and at the age of seventeen he began 
working in his father's flouring-mill, where he remained until he 
reached his majority. He was married, October 9, 1884, to Rosa 
Striegel, the result of this union being two children: John H. 
and Martin C. Mr. Schnell now owns a one-half interest in the 
mill with his brother. It is refitted with roller process, and has 
a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day; also a saw-mill 
attached with capacity of 7,000 to 8,000 feet per day. Mr. 
Schnell and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he 
is a Democrat, born and raised as such. 

SAMUEL C. TAYLOR was born April 3, 1837, in Perry 
County, Ind. Obediah and Deborah (Main) Taylor were the 
parents of fifteen children, subject being the thirteenth. The 
father and mother were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
They were married in Indiana, and moved to Dubois County in 
1838, where they followed the occupation of farming. Mr. Tay- 
lor's death occurred in 1858. The mother still lives at Hunting- 
burgh, Ind., with her daughter, and is eighty-five years old. Our 
subject received a very limited education, never having the priv- 
ilege of attending a free school. At the age of twenty-one, he 
began working on an eighty acre woodland farm which he cleared 
He now owns 220 acres, of which 140 acres are under good cul- 
tivation, and the rest in timber land. He was married, June 22, 
1858, to Mary Anne Davenport, of Knox County, Ind., the re- 
sult of that union being ten children, nine now living ; Lucretia, 
the elde8t,i8 now married to Elijah Cates ; David is also a married 
and living near his father. Mr. Taylor is a Democrat, and a 
member of the Masonic lodge of Newton Stewart, Ind. He 
and wife are members of the Christian Church. 

JOHN A. VAETH was born October 4, 1834, in Bavaria, 
Gkirmany, and is an only child of Vitus and Barbara (Deppisch) 
Vaeth. Our subject lived in Germany until he was thirty years 
of age, when he came to the United States, landing at New York. 
He came to Tell City, Perry County, Ind., and worked for one 
year in a brickyard, thence to Rockport, where he worked at the 
same business. He then went back to Tell City and worked there 
another year. At the age of thirty-three, he began operating a 
shingle machine at Rockport, and then went to Kentucky and 
operated his machine for seven years. From there he came to 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 735 



Indiana, thence to St. Meinrad in 1877, thence, in 1881, tc. 
Mentor, Ind. He cuts about 10,000,000 shingles annually. Our 
subject has been in poor health for the last four years, and 
thereby lost all his property, yet he is again accumulating money, 
and is worth about |3,000. He was educated in Germany, learrJ 
ing the native language. He learned English since coming to 
America. He was married May 9, 1870, to Sophia Ballis, the 
result being five children, three now living: John, Ida and Te- 
resa. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and familv are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 

FRANK ZIMMER, of Birdseye, Ind., was born December 
6, 1846, in Prussia, Germany, and is one of seven children born 
to John and A. (Weiand) Zimmer, who were natives of Ger- 
many, and came to this country when our subject was six months 
old, landing at New York, and coming bv way of Erie Canal to 
Chicago, then a small town. They finally settled in Lake County, 
Ind., where the father owned 120 acres. Both parents are still 
living. At the age of eighteen, our subject went to Chicago, and 
began the tinner's trade, being an apprentice three years. He 
then worked at the trade six or seven years in St. Louis and 
Cincinnati, and, in 1872, he began business in connection with 
Herman Koerner, in Lake County, continuing in this business 
about twelve years. The latter part of 1884, he moved to Birds- 
eye, Ind., and engaged in general merchandise with William 
Koerner, owning a one-half interest in the business. He was mar- 
ried, June 23, 1884, to Miss McNabb, of Lake County, 111., the 
result of their union being one son, George Francis. Mr. Zim- 
mer is a Democrat, and was postmaster under Republican ad- 
ministration. He is a member of the Catholic Church. 



MADISON TOWNSHIP. 

MARTIN L. ANDERSON, son of James ..nd Isabella 
(Mosby) Anderson, natives of Kentucky, was born December 15 
1830, m Dubois County, Ind. The father, who was of Irish del 
scent, was a blacksmith by trade, and in connection, carried on- 
farming. In 1830 he came to Dubois County, and purchased 
440 acres of land in Madison Township, on which he located and 
remained until his death, which occurred April 15, 1879 His 
wife died September 24, 1869. Our subject was educated in the 
district schools near his home. September 1, 1859, he married 
Judy F. Lemmons, daughter of Abraham and Margaret Lem- 



736 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

mons. She was born March 17, 1839, and is a native of Dubois 
County. They are the parents of these children: William E., 
Lola B. (wife of C. J. Mosby), Achsa (wife of Lewis Horton), 
Annie and EflSe Jane. Mr. Anderson settled on the old place 
where he now lives. He is industrious, and now owns 299 acres 
of land. He is one of the old settlers of the county, and has 
lived to see it transformed from a wilderness into well cultivated 
farms. In politics he is a Republican, casting his first vote for 
Filmore. He is a Mason, and he and wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN H. ANDERSON, farmer, of Madison Township, Du- 
bois Co., Ind., born in Indiana, May 28, 1832, is a son of Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Harris) Anderson, who removed to this 
county in 1816, and settled on 160 acres of land which they be- 
gan to clear and on which they built a good home ; they suffered 
many of the privations incident to those early times, but by in- 
domitable courage they overcame many of them. The father 
died June 16, 1843. The mother was of Welsh descent, born 
May 17, 1800, and died February 18, 1877. John H., our 
subject, passed his early life on his parents^ farm, and, when twenty- 
six years old, married Aurelia Traylor, daughter of Spartan and 
Mary Traylor, borii July 1, 1838, in Indiana. They are the par- 
ents of five children: Laura, Cordelia (deceased), Elmer (de- 
ceased), Oscar (deceased) and Mary. Mf. Anderson purchased 
eighty acres of land which, by industry, he has increased to 177 
acres, having inherited twenty-five acres. He has good buildings 
on his farm and in all respects is doing well. In politics he is a 
Republican, casting his first vote for Fillmore. He and wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 

ANDREW M. • ANDERSON, an enterprising young farmer 
of Dubois County, Ind., is a son of John and Elizabeth (Arm- 
strong) Anderson who were natives of Kentucky, and was born 
February 26, 1852. The father came to this State in his youth. 
Here he married and afterward lived for some time, running a 
grist-mill, but afterward sold out and bought a farm of 400 acres 
in Dubois County. His death occurred March 13, 1860. The 
mother is yet living. Our subject was raised at home, and re- 
ceived a fair education in the district schools in his neighborhood. 
He has always made his home with his parents, and is at present 
living with his mother on the old place. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, casting his fii'st vote for R. B. Hayes. In 1881 he was 
nominated and elected assessor of Madison Township for a term 
of four years, and has given the best of satisfaction. Mr. An- 
derson, who is a young man of energy and enterprise, owns eighty 
acres of good land, and as his share of the estate has the old 
homestead. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKHTCHES. 739 

^y. C. BRITTAIX is a native Hoosier, l)oni in Dulu^is 
0(.unty, Au^^ust 22, 1S3(), and son of Smith and Sarali (Brown) 
Brittain. Smith Brittain was born in North Carolina, Auo-ust 1, 
1801). He came to Indiana when the country was a wilderness, 
and passed Lis life among the Indians, wild animals, and in par- 
ticipating in the discomforts of pioneer life. His death occurred 
November 10, 18S0. His wife was a native of Kentucky, born 
October 22, iSOi;, nm\ died January 10, 1877. Our subject was 
raised on a farm and remained at home until he was twenty- 
eight years old. He was married to Samantha Mathis, born Sej.- 
tember 25, 18-1:3, in Iiuliana. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren: Eva, Egro C, lona Idelia and Evertt Guy. Mr. Brittain 
received forty acres of land from his father, to which he added 
ir)0 acres nK>re. On this farm he lived about ten years. He 
then sold out and purchased 240 acres in Madison ' Township, 
Avhere he noAv lives. He has built him a fine residence and erected 
good barns, and is prepared to pass the remainder of his life in 
ease. He is a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote fur 
Buchanan. In 1882 he was appointed county commissioner t.. 
fill an unexpired term, and in the same year he was elected to fill 
the office again for three years. He is a Mason and memb-! 
of the A. O. U. W. He and Avife are members of the Cumberlat I 
Presbyterian Church. 

JOSIAH COLYIN, merchant, of Ireland, Ind., was l>>n 
May 17, 1839, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (HillmaL 
Colvin, respectively of Ohio and Kentucky. The father bougL: 
a farm of eighty acres in Pike County, Ind.. and worked thWr 
until his death, which occurred in 1845. The mother is yet br- 
ing on the old place. Our subject's education was meager, aiid 
was gained amid the disadvantages of frontier life, in log school - 
houses. His father died Avhen he was six years of age, and lie 
remained at home until he was seventeen, when he commenced as 
an apprentice learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
until 1801, wfeen he enlisted in the Union Army, in Company I. 
Forty-second Indiana Infantry. He took an active part in 'the 
battle of Perryville, and was discharged in 1803, owing to disa- 
bility to perform active duty. September 1, 1803, he wedded 
Jane Selby, to whom four children were born: John W., Lillie 
May, Emma C. and Ella D. For some years after marriage he 
worked on his mother's farm, and carried the mail from Peters- 
burg to Washington for eighteen months, and from Oakland to 
Princeton one. year. In 1874 he commenced the mercantile 
lousiness m Oakland City, where he remained seven years ; thence 
to Petersburg, remaining four years: thence to Ireland, in 1885, 
where he is now carrying on the mercantile business. In politics 
he is a Eepublican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln 
He is a Mason and member t)f the I. O. O. F. 

30 



740 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

ASHBEIIRY ALEXANDER (deceased) was born in North 
Carolina, September 8, 1812, son of Isaac and Charlotte Alexan- 
der, who came to Indiana in 1815, and settled in Dubois County, 
where the father entered a large tract of land south of Ireland. 
He was among the first settlers, and came here when the country 
was an unbroken forest. He endured many of the privations in- 
evitable to pioneer life, but by industry he soon had a good 
home. He died December 27, 1851. The mother was born in 
1779. The subject of our biography was reared at home, receiv- 
ing a common school education. He made his home with his 
people until twenty-eight years of age, when he married Eliza 
Ann Dotson, a native of Indiana. She died in 1843, and he took 
for his second wife Nancy Armstrong, born October 9, 1811. 
To them were born four children; Charlotte, Isaac, George M. 
and Elizabeth. His second wife died August 1 0, 1858, and Jan- 
uary 18, of the next year, he married Nancy Ellen Haskins, born 
April 27, 1838. They are the parents of eight children : Thomas 
Ashberry (deceased), Johanna (deceased), Morton, Brittannia 
Ellen, Mary, Permelia D., Ida May and Naomi. After his first 
marriage he located near the old home, and began farming. By 
economy and prudence he became the possessor of 900 acres of 
land of excellent quality, all in one tract. His death occurred 
December 7, 1876. In 1880 his widow married Stephen T. S. 
Cook, Our subject was a Republican and a member of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church. 

S. H. DILLIN is one of eleven children born to Samuel and 
Jane (McMahan) DiUin, He was born in Dubois County, Ind., 
July 7, 1852. The father was a native of North Carolina, and 
came to this State with his parents when only about eight years 
of age. He married, and purchased 760 acres of land in Dubois 
County, where he located and remained until his death, April 23, 
1875. He was an industrious and prosperous farmer, and one of 
the largest land holders in the county. He was twice married, 
&,nd was the father of sixteen children. The last wife is yet living 
in Dubois County. Our subject remained with his parents until 
his majority, and then married Hester Ann Dillin, daughter of 
Benjamin and Eliza Dillin, and began his career as a farmer. He 
bought 140 acres of land, and his father gave him 200 acres 
more. Here he located and has since lived. To him and wife 
were born these children: Charles W., Samuel E., Benjamin F., 
Frederick T., Leila and Alice. Mr. Dillin is a Republican, cast- 
ing his first vote for R. B. Hayes. In 1880 he was elected town- 
ship trustee, and at the end of two years was re-elected, proving 
an efl&cient officer. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his 
wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JOHN A. GREEN, a native of Indiana, was bom in Dubois 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 741 

CVniiity, January 1. 1S48, and is one of eight children burn to 
Lewis and Sarah (Ritchie) Green, who were natives of Kentucky. 
Lewis came to this State in his youth and followed farming as an 
occupation. In 1832 he was married and afterward bought 280 
acres of land in Madison Township. Dubois County, where he 
lived thirty-two years. He afterward sold out and purchased 280 
acres in a different part of the same township. His death occui-red 
May 11, 1880. The mother is of Scotch-Irish descent, and 
a daughter of a Methodist minister. She came to Indiana fi'om 
the Blue Grass State, when there were only a few white people 
in the county. She is now an agile, bright old lady of seventy- 
seven years. John A. was raised and educated in his native 
county, the first twenty-one years of his life being passed in 
aiding his parents on the home farm. Being a strong Union man, 
he enlisted in Company M, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, February 7. 
1804. Shortly after, when out on duty, he was captured at Hol- 
low Tree Gap, Tenn., and taken to Anderson ville, where he was 
held for four months, when he was paroled and delivered up at 
Vicksburg and came home on furlough and did not enter the field 
again as hostilities had ceased. September 21, 1805, he married 
Elfa Banta who was born October 0, 1847, in Washington 
County, Ind. They have five children : Grace, Culvin, Neanian, 
Lewis and Roscoe. After his marriage he settled on the old 
homestead, where he now lives. He is a well to do farmer and 
tnvns 320 acres of land. He is a Republican, casting his first 
vote for LT. S. Grant. He and wife are members of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

GEORGE M. GREEN, a prosperous young farmer of Madi- 
son Towmship, Dubois Co., Ind.. was born August 22, 1804. and 
is a son of William H. and Rhoda (Shoemaker) Green. Will- 
iam H. is a native of Kentucky, and is of Irish descent, born 
1821. He came to Indiana with his parents when an infant, and 
made his home with his mother as long as he remained unmar- 
ried. August 15, 1850, he married Martha Damans, born June 
20, 1835. To them were born four children: Mary E., Sarah E„ 
Amelia and Minerva, all of whom are dead except Minerva. His 
wife dying in 180)1, he took for his second wife, the mother of 
our subject. To them were born three children: George, Isabelle 
and Florilla. He was well to do, owning as high as 580 acres of 
good land, all of which he accumulated by his own efforts. In 
politics he was a Democrat, being one of the leading men of his 
party. He was county commissioner of the Third District for 
fifteen consecutive years, and was then elected township trustee 
for one term. At the expiration of his trusteeship, he was again 
elected county commissioner for thxim^ years, thus forcibly illus- 
trating his popularity among the p4H|^ as an upright and honest 



742 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

man. His death occurred January 14, 1884. Since liis death, 
his widow remains on the farm with her childi-en. Our subject 
works on the farm at home, and is a straightforward young busi- 
ness niau. 

EDWARD A. GLEZEN, M. D., one of the old settlers of 
Dubois County, Ind., was born May 20, 1824, in Wayne County, 
Penn., and is a son of James and Susan (Hammond) Glezen. 
The father, who was of French and English descent, was born in 
Massachusetts, in 1777. The mother was born in 1780 or 1787, 
and was married to James Glezen, in Massachusetts. They lived 
for some time in Pennsylvania, and then Mr. Glezen came to Indi- 
ana to found a home for his family. He bought forty acres of 
land and commenced to clear and build a house, and then sent 
foi his wife and children. The letter miscarried, and when 
the family, after a toilsome journey of twenty-one days, reached 
the new home (in May), the father had been dead three months. 
Our subject was educated in the primitive schools of his boy- 
hood, and at the age of eighteen, he began the study of medicine 
under the direction of Dr. Leslie, of Petersburg, and in connec- 
tion took a course of lectures under Dr. Davidson. At the end 
of three years, he located at Highbanks, Pike Co., Ind., and 
began practicing. He remained there one year and then moved 
to Ireland, Ind., where he has since lived. He purchased 202 
acres of land, and in connection with his practice carried on 
farming, in which he has had excellent success. March 14, 1854, 
he married Mary Dillin, born March 4, 1836. To them were 
born ten children: Susan (deceased), Jane A., Carrie E. (de- 
ceased), Martha A., Sarah D., Blanche, Samuel A., Grace B., 
Joseph H. and Mary J. (deceased). Although Dr. Glezen has 
suffered many of the hardships of pioneer life, yet he has sur- 
mounted each and every one of them, and is now a leader in his 
profession, and a well to do citizen. He owns 404 acres of land, 
300 of which are under cultivation. He is a warm Republican, 
casting his first vote for Zachary Taylor. He is a Mason and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

ELIJAH S. HOBBS, one of the old settlers of Dubois Coun- 
ty, Ind., was born January 24, 1824, in Washington County, Ind., 
and is one of a family of ten childi-en born to Elisha and Lyda 
(Coffin) Hobbs. They were both of English descent and natives 
of North Carolina; the father was born October 10, 1788, and 
the mother in 1789. They came to this State in 1814, and bought 
100 acres of land, and soon after 160 acres more. The father died 
in 1846 and the mother in 1865. Our subject attended the primitive 
schools of his times, during the winter seasons, until he was 
grown, when he attended the county seminary fiVe months. In 



BIOGRArmCAL SKETCHES. 74S 

ls44 be began teaching school, continuing at that work nine win- 
ter and one summer term, meeting with good success. September 
12, 1854, he married Hannah Macy, to whom four children were 
born: Ada, Zeno, Lyman and Belle. The two sons are working 
on farms for themselves, Lyman in Kansas and Zeno near home. 
Belle is a teacher by profession, and has attended the State Nor- 
mal School at Terre Haute, for two years. Mr. Hobbs moved to 
Dubois County in 1854, and by degrees purchased 480 acres of 
land which make him an excellent living. He lost his wife Octo- 
ber 22, 18(34, and June 7, of the next year, he married Margaret 
Lemmon, born August 3, 1835. He is a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church, and may be called one of the first citi- 
zens of Dubois County, for by his industry and good management 
he has cleared up his farm, which was a wilderness when he set- 
tled on it, and now has a beautiful fertile farm. In politics he is 
a strong Prohibitionist, and cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor. 
JOHN D. KOONS. farmer, of Madison Township, Dubois 
County, Ind., was born August 11, 1850. His parents were John 
and Barbara (Cooper) Koons, who were natives of Germany, and 
came to this country in 1853. They settled in Ohio, and 
remained there about seven years farming, and the father working 
at the carpenter's trade. In 1800 he moved to Scott County and 
bought forty acres of land where he remained until his death 
which occurred about 1866. When the parents came to this 
country, our subject was but three years old. At the age of fif- 
teen he left home and worked for about four years as deck 
sweeper on steam-boats plying on the Ohio, Mississippi and Eed 
Eivers, afterward becoming night watchman. In the spring of 
1874, he married Milda Widdle, a native of Indiana, to whom one 
child (now deceased) was born — Jacob. Her death occurred the 
next year after marriage. September 6. 1877. he married Alatha 
Curry, born June 9, 1840, in Dubois County, Ind. They have 
one child— Elzie Melburn. Mr. Koons started with but fifty- 
three acres of land, but now owns 135 acres. In politics he is a 
Democrat, casting his first vote for Horace Greeley. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F.. and his wife is a member of the Regu- 
lar Baptist Church. 

CAPT. JOHN M. LEMMON. one of the prominent farmers 
of Dubois County, Avas born November 22, 1837, and is a son of 
John and Elizabeth (Simmons) Lemmon. natives of Kentucky. 
The father was born in 1802. and came to this county in his 
youth, where he married and bought 230 acres of land and began 
his career as a farmer. He was among the first settlers of 'the 
county, there being only two or three families preceding him. 
He died in 1872. and the mother in 1841. Our subject was 
raised at home, but without a mother's care, she havino- divd 



744 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

when he was a child of four years of age. His education was 
ftc(\uired in the district school near his home. He remained at 
home working for liis father until the war broke out, when he 
unlisted in Company E, Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry, July ^), 
I8()l, serving for three years. He took an active part in the bat- 
lies of ShiJoh, Fort Donelson, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, 
seige of Vicksburg and many others. He enlisted as a private, 
but was soon promoted to first sergeant, then was commissioned 
second lieutenant by O. P. Morton. He proved to be an efficient 
officer, and was raised to the rank of first lieutenant and then to 
captain, December 29, ISOiJ, which office he retained until the 
close of the war. He married Yinna Parker, and bought a farm 
of 120 acres in Dubois County, and commenced farming. In 
1881 he bought a home in Ireland, Ind., where he has since 
lived. He now owns 220 acres of land, and is a successful 
farmer. He is a strong Eepublican, and belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Pres- 
yteriau Church. 

CHAELES C McCOWN, M. D., of Ireland, Ind., was born 
August 23, 1851), in Harrison County, Ind., and is a son of John 
X., and Ruth (Miller) McCown, who were also natives of In- 
diana. The father w^as born in 1813, and is a farmer by occu- 
pation. In 1801 he moved to Crawford County and bought 200 
acres of land where he has since lived. His wife died March 19, 
1883, at the age of sixty-five years. Our subject received his ed- 
ucation in the district schools near his home, and began teaching 
school in 1876, and continued at that work for three years. At 
the age of twenty-two he commenced the study of medicine, and 
in 1880 entered Louisville Medical College, and graduated from 
that institution aj^ an M. D.,in February, 1882. He located in Den- 
ning, Hamilton Co., Ind., and began practicing his profession. 
He remained there one year and then came to Dubois County, 
locating in Ireland. March 8, 1883, he married Lizzie Harris, 
daughter of John A., and Martha Harris. She was born August 
28, 1801. They have one child, a daughter, named Ruth. Dr. 
McCown is a young man just starting in life, but he is building 
up a good practice. He is a Republican, casting is first vote 
for James G. Blaine ; he is also a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 

BURR MOSBEY. Among those who volunteered their ser- 
vices for the suppression of the Rebellion and fought valiantly for 
their country's cause, was he whose name forms the subject of 
this sketch. Born August 13, 1843, in Indiana, his early life 
was passed on his father's farm. At the age of seventeen he 
went to Appanoose County, Iowa, and worked on the farm for 
three vears, and then returned home and enlisted in Company K, 



lilOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 745 

Sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He was actively engaged in the 
battlesof Knoxville, Resaca, Atlanta and Franklin, and many minor 
engagements. He received his discharge June 22, ISO.j, and re- 
turned home and led to Hymen's altar, SelinaBanta, May 12, 18()7; 
she was born December 21, 1844, and is a daughter of Daniel and 
Elizabeth Banta. Mr. and Mrs. Mosbey are the parents of nine 
children: Minnie. May, Myron (deceased), Maurice, John H., 
Myra Elizabeth, Charles Omer. Edwin B. and an infant. Our 
subject bought 100 acres of land soon after marriage, and at 
the death of his parents he inherited eighty acres in Madison 
Township. He is a highly successful farmer and has a com- 
fortable home. He is a stanch Republican, casting his first vote 
for U. S. Grant. His parents, Burr and Mary (Armstrong) Mos- 
bey, were natives of Kentucky. The father came to Indiana in 
his youth; he was born in 1810, and died in 1842. The mother 
was born in 1800, and died in 1870. 

JOHN P. NORMAN, merchant, of Ireland, Ind., was born 
December 20, 1839, in Dubois County, Ind., and is one of a 
family of seven children born to John A. and Brittania (Dillian ■ 
Norman, both natives of North Carolina. The father left his na- 
tive State in his youth and came to Dubois County and bougL: 
O'JO acres of land in Madison and Bainbridge Townships. Hi- 
death occurred June 29, 1849. The mother is yet living and is 
in her eightieth year. Our subject received his early educatio:: 
fi'om the primitive log schoolhouse of his day, and passeii \m 
boyhood on the farm aiding his mother. September 23, 1S5S. lie- 
led to Hymen's altar Harriet Stewart, born July 15, 1840. To. 
them were born nine children: Emma C, John O., Mary Ui«- 
ceased), Elizabeth, Robert S., Louisa (deceased), Alice Jv^n*. 
Hattie May and Flora Ethel. After marriage John P. located Oiia 
the old place and commenced his career as a farmer. At rlit^ 
breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-eighth 
Indiana Volunteers, serving three years. He took an active part 
in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and 
numerous minor engagements ; was wounded at Stone River and 
Chickamauga, but not seriously. He received his discharge in 
November, 1804, and came home and resumed farming, and spec- 
ulated in stock. He owns 414 acres of land, 250 acres under 
cultivation. In 1872 he bought an interest in a flour-mill. In 
connection with the mill, he entered into partnership in a general 
merchandise store, and now conducts the business individuallv 
and is doing extremely well. He is a warm Republican, casting 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, he and family are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. 

G. L. PARR, M. D., and druggist of Ireland, Ind., was born 
October 19, 1847, in Crawford County, Ind. He is one of a 



746 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

family of eight children boru to John and Euth (Parr) Parr, 
natives of Virginia and North Carolina respectively. At the age 
of twelve years John Parr went to Lexington, Ky., where he re- 
mained for upward of six years, then went to Indianaoplis where 
he bought 120 acres of land and began tilling the soil. In 1829 
he was married, and live years later sold his farm and moved to 
Crawford County, Ind., and bought 240 acres of land west of 
Leavenworth, where he and wife are yet living. He gave 
each of his children eighty acres of land, and now owns 213 
acres. Our subject attended district school for only about fifteen 
months. The most of his education was obtained at home by ap- 
plying himself to his books at leisure time; thus his education 
was sufficient to admit of his being a teacher at the age of twenty- 
one. He remained in this business three years and then entered 
the Medical University at Louisville, from which he graduated 
as an M. D., March 3, 1874. May 7, 1872, he married Sarah 
Taylor, to whom was bOrn one child, Lunsford. April 28, 1874, 
his wife died, and October 9, 1877, he married Ludora -Thomas, 
who has borne him one child. Homer. In 1874 he moved to 
Ireland where he has been practicing his profession and selling 
drugs, of which he has a good stock. In politics he is a Ke- 
publican, casting his first vote for U. S. Grant, and is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. 

ELIJAH M. PIETLE of Madison Township, Dubois Co., 
Ind., son of John and Nancy (Small) Pirtle, was born in North 
Carolina, 1833 or 1834. His parents were of Irish descent and 
natives of North Carolina, where they were married. They first 
moved to Tennessee and then to Dubois County, where he bought 
forty acres of land and has since lived. The mother's death oc- 
curred October 26, 1880. Our subject was raised on the farm 
and received a common school education. He remained with his 
parents twenty-two years, and in March 0, 1859, he married 
Matilda Mayo, daughter of George and Amelia Mayo, born June 
3, 1840, in Indiana. They have four children: Mary, wife of 
Frederick Koons ; Lucinda, Ellen and Johnnie. After marriage 
Mr. Pirtle located in Madison Township, where he purchased 
forty acres of land and lived twenty-one years. In 1884 he sold 
out and bought eighty acres in the same township. In politics 
he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for James Buchanan. 
His wife is a member of the Catholic Church. 

THOMAS Y. KILEY, superintendent of the county poor, 
was born November 29, 1810, in Sumner County, Tenn., and is 
one of a large family of children born to James and Delphia 
(Rice) Riley. The father was a native of Ireland and came to 
the United States in his youth and married in Virginia. He 
lived at diffe'-ciit times in Tennsrssee a'ld Kontackv n.vl died in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 747 

the latter State in 1814. Thomas Y. came to Dubois County, 
Ind., with his mother in 1818. He remained with her until he 
was twenty-eight years old, when he married Elizabeth Laurence, 
born May 7, 1820, in Kentucky. They have had ten children: 
Andrew Jackson (deceased), George Washington, Sarah Ann 
(deceased), James K. Polk (deceased), Nancy Jane, Delphia 
Ann, Rachael Elizabeth (deceased), Martha Ann, Mahala Ellen 
(deceased) and Permelia Catherine. After marriage our subject 
located in Orange County, where he purchased 120 acres of land 
and resided for over forty years. He then came to Dubois 
County and lived for ten years on a farm of 120 acres. In 1881 
he applied for the position of keeping the county poor and was 
successful in obtaining the ofl&ce. At the end of three years he 
was re-elected. Mr. Riley is a good, humane man and the right 
person for the position he now holds. His wife fills the office of 
matron with exceptional success. At present they have about 
thirty persons under their care. In politics Mr. Riley is a 
Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He and 
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

J. B. ROSE, one of the worthy farmers of Dubois County, 
Ind., was born July 11, 1831, in Kentucky, and is a son of Walker 
and Edith (Kemper) Rose, who were also natives of Kentucky. 
The father followed the tanner's trade as an occupation. He 
married in his native State and lived and died there. His deatii 
occurred March, 1841. The mother came to Dubois County iin 
1858, and lived with our subject until her death August 10, IST^. 
J. B. Rose, our subject, was raised in Kentucky, receiving a very 
limited education and came to Indiana when he was twenty-nin© 
years of age. December 22, 1862, he married Mary Ann Nichol- 
son, daughter of Richard and Susan Nicholson. She was bom 
January 10, 1843, in Clark County, Ind. To them were born five 
children: Helen, MoUie, Edith, Charley and May. After mar- 
riage he and his brother, Albert, bought 327 acres of land in 
Madison Township, where he located and has since lived. In 
1880 Albert died, and when the property was divided our subject 
received 160 acres. Mr. Rose is a promising and industrious 
farmer and has helped make Dubois County what it is. In poli- 
tics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Pierce. His wife 
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

PETER J. SMALL, son of Nicholas and Margie (Lemond) 
Small, was born October 17, 1835, in Dubois County, Ind. The 
parents were natives of North Carolina, married in that State and 
came to Indiana in 1834, where Mr. Small purchased forty acres 
of land in Patoka Township and has since resided. He was an 
industrious man, and in a few years had increased his land to 160 
acres. Tho innther war. bom in 1801 and died in 1862. Our 



748 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

subject received his education at subscription schools, there being 
no free schools at that time. He was married, December 10, 
1859, to Sarah Ann Postlethuait, born December 20, 1831, in 
Ohio. They are the parents of three children : Charles Marion, 
Sarah Alice (wife of John Stutsman) and Elmer E. Mr. Small 
settled in Patoka Township, where he purchased eighty acres of 
land and commenced to till the soil. He remained there five 
years, then moved to Pike County and settled in Augusta and 
bought one-half interest in a general merchandise store, but 
becoming dissatisfied with the business, he sold out and returned 
to his native county and purchased 1(50 acres of land. November 
11, 1872, his wife died, and May 8, of the next year, he married 
Anna Eliza Dean, born December 2(i, 1852, in Kentucky. They 
have six children: William Preston, Ida (deceased), Linnie, 
Myrtle, Isom Wesley, Martha Elizabeth and Effie Belle. Mr. 
Small has good buildings on his farm and is a prosperous farmer. 
A Democrat in politics, he cast his first vote for James Buchanan. 
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. 

WILLIAM G. STEWAKT. Among the pioneer families of 
Indiana was that of James and Pherebe (Richardson) Stewart. 
The father, a native of Virginia, came to this State when only a 
lad, and purchased 200 acres of land in Dubois County, and in 
addition inherited 400 acres more and began tilling the soil. He 
was among the first Avhite settlers of Dubois County, and lived to 
see it transformed from a wilderness to fine cultivated farms. He 
was born in 1807, and died November 12, 1883. The mother 
was of English descent, born about 1823 in the State of Tennessee. 
She is yet living on the old homestead. William G. Stewart was 
born in Dubois County, Ind., January 23, 1849, and received his 
education in the- district schools near his home. He remained at 
home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he married 
Alatha Green, November (3, 1870, born in November, 1851. 
They are the parents of six children: James F., Harriet Louisa, 
Elzora Ellen, Robert Simpson, Earl Eugene and Lizzie Ann. 
After marriage he located on the old homestead where he now 
lives. He owns eighty acres of land and is an industrious 
farmer. He is a Republican, casting his first vote for U. S. 
Grant, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
and his wife is a Lutheran. 

AARON UTZ, son of Edward and Lucinda (Harmon) Utz, 
was born in Floyd County, Ind., March 13, 1842. His father 
was of German descent, but a native of Indiana, born January 
15, 1812. Floyd County has always been his home, with the ex- 
ception of nine years, which he spent in Crawford County. Our 
subject was raised on the farm, and at the early age of nineteen 
he married Elizabeth Curry, daughter of William and Elizabeth 



l:\')';i'..\]'Ul(:\L SKETCHES. 749 

(Buirt;l) Ciuiv. Siic was boiii April '21, 184.), in Illinois. To 
this unioi! were burn seven children: George Gilbert, Sarah, 
Benjamin Edward, Martha Rebecca, Darthula Elizabeth, Jacob 
Milow and Sj)irsnni Aaron. After marriage he located in Craw- 
ford County, where he bought forty acres of land and lived three 
years. He then sold out and came to Dubois County and pur- 
chased 14o acres of land in Madison Township, Avhere he now 
lives. Mr. Utz has a good farm, well cultivated, with good build- 
ings. He is a Iiepublican, but cast his first vote for George B. 
McClellan. He and Avife are members of the Christian Church. 
CHAPtLES D. WINEINGER, an energetic farmer of Mad- 
iscm Township, Dubois Co., Ind,, born September 17, 1853, is a 
s<m of John A. and Catharine (Wineinger) Wineinger, natives 
< tf Tennessee. They were married in their native State, and after 
a few yeai's came to Dubois County and bought 480 acres of land 
in Bainbridge and Harbison Townslii[)S, and began tilling the 
soil. His death occurred in November, 1882, and the mother".- 
about 18(')8. Our subject received a common school education. 
and remained at lionie until he was about twenty-five years ■ •: 
age. March 3(». 1880, he married Cordelia Lemond, daughter ■: 
Joseph and Charlotte Lemond. She was born December 5. 1^!'' 
They are the parents of two children, named Bay F. and H^"- 
illa. After marriage he purchased 220 acres of land inMadisL 
Township, where lie located and now lives. Mr. Wineinger is -,.i 
industrious and wortliy man; by industry he now has a gO':''.. 
comfortable home, with many modern improvements. He i? h 
Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for Samuel J. Tilde:. 
He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyteri vi. 
Church. 



MARION TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN E. DUDINE was the elder of two sons born to John 
A. and Katharine Dudine, who were natives of Germany. The 
father was born in 1797 and the mother in 1802. They married 
in Germany and came to this country in 1832, and settled in 
Adams Ccjunty, Penn., where they remained seven years. They 
then came to Dulwis County, Ind., where the mother died the 9th 
of March, 18r)4. Our subject lived with his parents both before 
and after marriage. He was married to Barbara Metz February 
27, 1851, and to them were born ten children: John A. (deceased), 
John A., Henry P. (deceased), Henry P. T., Joseph, Katharine 
(deceased), Mary B., Rosa K., Joseph J. and Anna K. Mr. 



750 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTV. 

Dudine has a limited education in English and German. He and 
wife are members of the Catholic Church and in politics he is a 
Democrat, and a successful and influential citizen. On his farm 
is an overhanging rock nearly 200 yards in length, and about 
twenty feet thick, Nea^ the middle was an Indian cave hewn in 
the form of a room, in which Mr. Dudine found many Indian 
utensils and implements, some of which lie still possesses as relics 
of former times. 

GEOBGE DEKEMPEE is a son of George and Maria Mag- 
dalena Dekemper, who were natives of Germany, The father 
was born in 1821 and the mother in 1831. They came to the 
United States in 1833 and landed at New York; from there they 
came to Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally located in Dubois County, 
Ind. The father departed this life on the 27th of October, re- 
spected and esteemed by all. Oui- subject was born October 31. 
1854, in Dubois County. At the age of thirteen he began learn- 
ing the blacksmith's trade in Jasper. June 23, 1877, he married 
Elizabeth Mathias of Dubois County. The union was blessed 
with four children: Joseph, John, George and Maria. Mr. De- 
kemper has a fair English and German education, and is doing 
a* good business in the blacksmith and wagon-making trade. He 
and family belong to the Catholic Church. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and is a successful and prominent man of Knoxville. 

C. W, ELLIS is the son of Marvin and Phermelia J, Ellis, 
who were born and resided in the L^nited States, March 23, 1873, 
the father died, and on the 21st of June of the same year the 
mother followed him. C, W, Ellis, our subject, was born March 
17, 1845, in Dubois County, Ind. He began teaching at the 
early age of seventeen and followed the profession until the age 
of twenty-one, 'His marriage occurred April 29, 1800, the result 
being eight children: Ida, Phermelia K., Mary A., Marvin W. 
(deceased), Charley, Heber, Herl and Helen. Soon after mar- 
riage Mr. Ellis engaged in the saw and grist-milling business, 
and in 1880 he erected a large two-story frame house, where he 
is at present carrying on an extensive trade in merchandise. His 
enterprises have been so successful that his mill, formerly run 
by water-power, is now run by steam. He has good farming land 
near Knoxville, and is carrying on his different enterprises suc- 
cessfully. He is well educated, having spent two terms of school 
at the Indiana State University. He and family belong to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, and 
a very enterprising and successful business man. 

JOSEPH FISCHER is a son of George and Adalheit 
Fischer, who were natives of Germany. The father was born ir 
1794, and the mother in 1800. They were married in 1820, T' 
them were born nine children, all of whom are dend except th 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 751 

above named. They came to the United States in 1837, and in 
1845 settle<l in Marion Township, Dubois Co., Ind. Tl)e lather 
died April 4, 1856, and the mother November 17, 181 '>0. The 
subject of our memoir was born in Germany June 10, 1827, and 
came to this country with his parents, with whom he lived uiitil 
their deaths. July 13, 1858, he married Anna M. KShepers. a na- 
tive of Germany. They became the parents of nine children — 
six sons and three daughters: Joseph B.. John, Mary. Geori^t-. 
Bernhard, Henry, Herman, Anna and Katy. Mr. Fis(!her settleil 
on a farm that was very heavily timbered, and by his energy 
and industry changed the forests around him into tillable helds. 
He has a good education, being educated in the public schools of 
Cincinnati, Ohio. He and family belong to the Catholic Chundi. 
He is a Democrat in politics, and has served two years as consta- 
ble and trustee of the township, thus showing that he is well re- 
spected and an upright man. 

ADAM FITTERER, a prominent farmer of Dubois County. 
Ind., born January 15, 1825, was the eldest of a family of thirteen 
children. The parents were natives of Germany, and came to 
this country in 1831, landing at New Orleans, and lived suc- 
cessively in Ohio, Kentucky, and lastly in Indiana. For thirteen 
years they lived in Dearborn County ; then sold out and came to 
Dubois County in 1845. Both parents died in 1875. The sub- 
ject of our sketch was born in Baden, Germany. He came with 
his parents to this country, and remained with them until he was 
twenty-three years old. He then engaged in different kinds of 
work, and was married when he was about twenty-nine years old. 
February 8, 1853, he led to Hymen's altar Mary Louisa Bloch, a 
native of France. They lived one year at Louisville, Ky., and 
then moved to Dubois County, Ind., and settled on a farm. At 
the end of four years he moved to Minnesota, and there bought a 
farm. He left there in a short time, and returned to Louisville, 
and from there came to Dubois County and settled on a farm of 
120 acres, and sold out again with the intention of going West, 
but bought a farm in Marion Township instead, where he has 
since lived. He has eight children, named Philomena (de- 
ceased), John B. (deceased), Frank X. (deceased), Theressa 
(deceased), Isabella, Mary L., Barbara M. and Thomas J. Mr. 
Fitterer and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is 
a Democrat. 

BERNHARD GEHLHAUSEN is the fourth of a family of 
twelve children born to Frank and Mary A. Gehlhausen, who were 
natives of Germany. They immigrated to this country and were 
married at Pittsburgh, Penn. They came to Dubois County, 
Ind., and bought a farm, but soon sold it and moved to Ferdinand, 
and engaged in farming. July 12, 1876, the mother died. The 



752 HISTOKV OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

fatlier still resides on liis farm at Ferdinand, and has been en- 
gaged in teaching school for over thirteen years. Our subject 
was born in Ferdinand July 10. 1848. and lived with his parents 
the greater part of the time. May 3. 1870. he was married t<> 
Marv Anna Heeke. of Marion Township. To them were born 
eight children: Bern hard H.. Mary K.. Anna M.. Theresia M.. 
Frances M.. Eosa P.. Joseph A. and Andrew G. Mr. Gehlhau- 
sen is able to read and write in both English and German, and is 
quite well educated. He and wife belong to the Catholic Church. 
In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as special constable. 
He is now assessor of his township, and has held that office for 
four years. 

JOHN B. HOCHGESANG is the eldest sou of Michael and 
Magdalena Hochgesang. who were natives of Germany, and came 
to the United States and were married in Dubois County. Ind., in 
1843. They are still living near Jasper. The subject of our 
sketch was born in Dubois County. January 14, 1844. and lived 
with his parents until tAventy-three years of age. June 8. 1867. 
he married Barbara K. Oestreich. of "Wheeling, W. Ya. To 
them were born eight children — six sons and two daughters: 
Marv J. (convent sister), Michael A.. Joseph P., John A.. Frank 
S.. Anthony, William J. and Kathrina. Both he aud wife are 
members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat in Y>oli- 
tics. He has a limited knowledge of both English and German, 
which he has acquired by his own efforts. Through energy and 
industry Mr. Hochgesang has turned the woods into tillable fields, 
and has a nice farm and home. He is an influential citizen, and 
is respected bv all. 

JOHN LOTTES, born June 2, 1851. is a son of John G. and 
Elizabeth Lottes, who were born in Germany, the father in 1825 and 
the mother in 1829. They were married in this country and were 
the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living. They still 
reside in Dubois County. Ind. Our subject, when about twenty- 
one years of age. learned the cooper's trade. March 18, 1875. 
he married Margaret Angerer of Harbison Township. The union 
was blessed with six children — four- sons and two daughters: 
Simon, John S., Anna L., Maggie. Andrew and John C. all of 
whom are dead except Andrew and John C. Mr. Lottes received 
a fair education in English and German. He is a well read man 
and is a stanch Democrat in politics. At one time he kept a 
saloon in Knoxville, but at the present time he is working at the 
cooper trade and farming, and is a very successful business man : 
he owns a good farm near Knoxville and has a pleasant residence 
in the town: he and family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

JOHX LEISTNER is the youngest of a family of six chikb-en 
born to Com-ad and Catharine Leistner, who were natives of Ger- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Ti^ 



many. They were married in Germany and came to this country in 
1841, and settled in Dubois County, Ind., where tlie father died in 
1843' and the mother in 1845. The subject of our sketch wa^ 
born in Germany, May 15, 1831, and came to this country wit)i 
his parents, and remained with them until he was fifteen years of 
age, when he began learning the shoe-maker's trade. Worked at 
that business one and a half years, then went to New Albany and 
continued to ply his trade, but finally started a grocery. May 
15, 1855, he married Eva M. Hemsel of Dubois County. To 
them were born nine children: Louis, (deceased,) John M., 
Georo-e W., Henry Edward, John P. W., Henry T., Mary M., 
Emmli K. and Elizabeth B. He and family belong to the Lu- 
theran Church and he is a Democrat and an honest and useful 

citizen, . . 

PHILLIP MILLER, a prominent citizen and farmer of 
Marion Township, Dubois Co., Ind., was born in Germany, 
August 5, 1845. He came with his parents, Joseph and Anna 
(Scherr) Miller, to America in 1855. The mother died while on 
the journey, but the father came on and settled in Dubois County, 
where he married again. His second wife was Mrs. Margaret 
(Smith) Carver. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Forty- 
ninth Indiana Volunteers. He was killed at Trenton, Ky., in 
December, 1862. Our subject remained with his step-mother, 
aiding her as much as possible, until his marriage with Miss 
Mary Brang, daughter of Andrew and Josephine (Hardwick) 
Brang. To this union eight children were born: Tracy (de- 
ceased), Margaret (deceased), Joseph, John, Jacob, Ignaz (de- 
ceased), Catharine and Lizzie. Mr. Miller is a well to do farmer, 
and owns 120 acres of fertile, well improved land, which he has 
accumulated by his own exertions. He is a Democrat in politics, 
and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

PAUL MEHEINGER, an old pioneer settler of Marion 
Township, Dubois Co., Ind., was born June 24, 1818. He came 
to this country in 1888, landed at New Orleans and finally located 
in Dubois County. That same year he married Barbara Gebner,. 
a native of Germany, who died a few months after marriage.. 
Nearly two years later he married Caroline Steger, of Dubois 
County. To them were born these children: Kathrina, George, 
Barbara, John, Kathrina (all deceased), Adalheit (wife of John 
Marks), John N., Joseph L., Lawrence, Nicolaus, Mary (wife of 
George M^rks), and Margaretha. Mr. Mehringer's second wife 
died February 22, 1883. He has a fair English and German ed- 
ucation, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church. 
In politics he is a Democrat, and is a very successful and enter- 
prising farmer and well respected. 

JULIUS NORDHOFF is a son of Joseph and Clara Nord- 



754 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

hoff, who were natives of Oldenburg and Hanover,* Germany. 
Our subject was born November 1(S, 1840, in Oldenbnrg. At the 
age of seventeen he came to the United States, landing at Balti- 
more. He went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in the dairy 
busiuess and at various occupations until the breaking out of the 
civil war, when he fidisted in the Ninth Ohio Volunteers and 
served three years. He fought bravely in the battles of Chicka- 
mauga. Mill Springs, Corinth, Missionary Ridge and others, and 
was with Sherman on his march to tlie sea; witnessed many of 
the horrible sights iiicident to army life. For one year he 
served at various occupations in the Avar and returned to Cincin_- 
nati after peace had l)een proclaimed. A})ril 15, 18(55, he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Haggemann, of Dubois County, Ind. To them 
were born these children: Theresa, Joseph, Siegfried, Clara, 
Philomena, Barbara, and Lizzie ( deceased ) . Mr. NordhofP has 
a fair German- education and can read and write English. He 
and family belong to the Catholic Church, and he is a Republican. 
He is a successful farmer, and an honest and enterprising man. 

JOHN G. PREUSZ was born in Germany, August 10, 182it. 
His parents were John and Margaretha Preusz, natives of the 
same place. They came to the United States and settled in Du- 
bois County, Ind., in 1831). To them were born four chiklren. 
only two now living. The subject of our sketch remained on the 
farm aiding his parents. His education in English is limited, 
but he can read and write the German language. February 12, 
1861, lie married Catharine Bimin. The union resulted in two 
sons: Daniel and John. His Avife dying July 7, 18()0, he took 
for his second wife Caroline Linning, August 15, 18(57. Two 
daughters were born to them: Margaretha and Kathrina. His 
second Avife de})ftrted this life May 22, 1873. He and family are 
members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, 
he is a useful citizen and a prominent man. 

ROCHUS REUSZ, was born August 13, 1838, in Germany, 
a son of Adam and Eva Reusz, avIio were natives of the same 
province. They were married in the old country and immigrated 
to this country in 1850, settling first in Kentucky, and finally in 
Dubois County, Ind. The father died January 22, 1875, and the 
mother in 1849. Our subject came to this country with his par- 
ents, and p*^ the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in 
the Forty-ninth Indiana Regiment, October 2, 18()1, and Avas a 
faithful soldier for over three years. He took an active part in 
the battles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post and Yazoo River. At 
Black River bridge Mr. Reusz helped capture a whole brigade, 
and at Cumberland Gap he lived for some time on one-fourth ra- 
tions, and nearly starved to death. He received an honorable 
discharge in November, 1864, and came back to Dubois County, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 755 

^nd married Emma Prosmer, November 7, 1865, and together 
tftey raised eight children: John A., Kosa, Lizzie, Emma, Willie 
(deceased), Mary (deceased), Barbara and Anna. Mr. Reusz 
and family, are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he 
is a Democrat, and a successful and enterprising farmer. 

JOHN G. STEIN, born April 22, 1829, in Hanover, Germany, 
is a son of John G. and Margaret A. Stein, natives of Germany. 
They were married in 1819, and came to the United States in 
1845, lauding at New Orleans. From there they came to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and finally settled in Dubois County, Ind. The fa- 
ther's death occurred November 18, 1855, and the mother's, Octo- 
ber 14, 1856. Our subject was married to Mary A. Fischer in 
1855. They were blessed with seven children — four sons and 
three daughters: John J., Mary A., Mary (deceased), John, Eliz- 
abeth, Bernhard (deceased), and Mary. Mr. Stein has a very 
good English and German education, receiving some of his edu- 
cation in Europe, and the rest in the public schools of Louisville, 
Ky. He and family belong to the Catholic Church, and in poli- 
tics he is a Democrat, and at present a notary public. Has 
served as justice of the peace for eighteen years, and has held 
the office of toM^ship clerk for four years. A coal mine has been 
discovered on his farm which has been worked to some extent, 
and contains the best quality of coal. He is an intelligent and 
successful farmer of Marion Township and is highly respected. 

FELIX SCHNEIDER, a prominent citizen of Dubois 
County, Ind., and native of the same, was born February 14, 
1848, and is the third son in a family of nine children bom to 
John E. and Gertrude (Wigant) Schneider, who were natives of 
Germany. They were married in Philadelphia, Penn., and about 
the year 1835, came West, and located in Dubois County, Ind.. 
where the father died in 18«)9. The mother is still living. Our 
subject received a common school education, and at about sixteen 
years of age went to Louisville, Ky., and engaged as an appren- 
tice in the wagon-maker's trade, serving two years. He then 
came back to his native county and began plying his trade, 
which he has carried on successfully ever since. A Democrat 
in politics he was elected township trustee in 1874, and re- 
elected in 187(), and again in 1878, serving in all five and a 
half years. He is the owner of 180 acres of land well im- 
proved. He was married to Mary Schneider, September 13, 
1869. To this union Avere born eight children: Ferdinand, An- 
thony, John (deceased), Barbara (deceased), Anna, Lucy, Jo- 
seph and Catharine (deceased). He and wife are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

ANDREW SPRAUER is the fourth of a family of six chil- 
dren, and was born in Baden, Germany, October 1, 1810. He 



756 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

came to tlio United States in 1831, landing at New York, and 
worked about two years in Bedford County, Penn. ; from tlience 
he went to Fairfield County, Ohio, and engaged iu the making of 
brick. He lived there about six years, and then removed to 
Marion Townshij), Dubois Co., Ind., where he resides at the pres- 
ent time. April 20, 1835. he was married to Barbara (Binder) 
Sprauer of Baden, Germany. To them were born a large family 
of children, among them being Alois (deceased). Joseph, Peter, 
John, Alois, Magdalena, Elizabeth (deceased), Mary, Philomena 
and Anna. Mr. Sprauer received a limited German and English 
education. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and 
in politics he is a Democrat. He is one of the oldest settlers of 
Marion Township, and an honest, upright man. 

JOHN H. WIBBELS, a prominent citizen of Marion Town- 
ship, Dubois Co., Ind., was born February 18, 1857. His parents 
were natives of Hanover, Germany, came to this country and were 
married at Cincinnati, Ohio. Our subject was raised in Marion 
Township and has always engaged in farming up to three years 
ago, when he began lumbering and saw-milling. He has been 
very successful in each business, owing to his enterprising spirit 
and good management. He was married to Rosa A. Vamppa, 
November 17, 1874, in Louisville, Ky. To them were born five 
children — two sons and three daughters: Henry J., Benjamin J., 
Philmina, Caroline M., and Mary K. Mr. Wibbels has a fair 
English and German education, and he and wife are members of 
the Catholic CKurch. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and 
was elected constable, but resigned. He afterward was elected 
trustee by a strong majority and has served to the satisfaction of 
his patrons. He is recognized as one of the prominent and influ- 
ential men of his township, and an upright and honest man. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HALL TOWNSHIP 



as 



/ OHN J. ALLES, a prominent man of Dubois County wn^ 
born in Prussia, April 23, 1824, a son of Jacob and Catharine 
(Halm ) Alles, who were the parents of ten children. The family 
immigrated to America in 1840, and settled in Dubois Couutv 
Ind. The father was a school teacher in the old country, and 
was in the Eussian war with Napoleon, acting as quartermaster 
m that army; was captured by the Kussians and taken to Siberia. 
He joined the ^Russian Army in order to escape prison life, and 
after serving two years was sold to England. He was in the bat- 
tle of Waterloo, serving under Wellington. Coming to America 
he still continued teaching, being the master of several languages. 
His death occurred in April, 1863, and the mother s in l5;^. 
Our subject received a good education in the schools of Euroije. 
After coming to America he worked on the farm, and by industry 
now owns 400 acres of good farming land. At the breaking oat 
of the war he enlisted in Company I, Forty-ninth Indiana Volun- 
teers, as captain, and participated in the battle at Cumberland 
Gap and the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. In all he took 
part in fourteen battles, and was wounded at Viclsbm-g by tlie 
explosion of a shell, for which he receives a pension. In*ls5<o 
he was elected justice of the peace, and served continuously for 
twenty-five years, except when he was in the army. In 1880 h© 
was elected trustee of Hall Township for four years, and in 1S84 
was elected county commissioner, and will take his office in De- 
cember, 188 5. He was married to Jacobina Hoffman, to whom 
were born seven children, three now living: Frederick, Catha- 
rine and Barbara. The family are members of the Catholic 
Church, and he is a Democrat. 

CASPER BLUME was born September 19, 1831, in Ger- 
many. John and Mary (Franke) Blume were the parents of five 
children, our subject being the fourth. The father was a tailor 
by trade; he died in Germany in 1840. Casper came to the 
United States in 1851, and the mother about six months later. 
She died in Louisville in 1868. Our subject was raised a gar- 
dener and florist in the old country, but on coming to America he 
began learning cabinet-making, and worked at that business 
about two years, and then went into the regular army in 1854, 
and served exactly five years, taking part in "Indian expeditions'' 
m Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Dakota He next went to 



768 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

Louisville, Ky., and began a clothing store, at which he continued 
until 18H1. He espoused the Union cause; consequently, in 
that year he enlisted in the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry; was 
elected first lieutenant of Company G, and soon after was made 
captain. He was on many scouting expeditions, and in the bat- 
tle of Murfreesboro, and was the first man on the field of Chata- 
nooga. He came home from the army, and located in Dubois 
County, Ind,, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and has 
since lived. He is now the possessor of 310 acres of good farm- 
ing land. July 3, 1860, he married Gertrude Meyer, who has 
borne him eight children, all living at home. The family are 
members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Blume is a Democrat. 

AUGUST BETZ, an unpretentious, but honored citizen of 
Celestine, Ind., was born March 2, 1841, a son of John L. and 
Elizabeth (Auth) Betz, who were natives of Germany, and came 
to the United States in 1835, locating at Wheeling, W. Va., 
where they remained about seven years, and then came to this 
State and settled in Dubois County, where the father died in 
1840. The mother is still living with our subject on the old 
homestead. August received such imperfect educational advan- 
tages as were accorded in the country schools of that day, but has 
since acquired a good business education. He has always been 
the mainstay and prop of his mother, and on that account was 
forced to abandon the idea of aiding his country in the late war. 
He has been quite successful in his farming enterprises, and now 
owns 160 acres of excellent farming land. He was married, 
April 21, 1863, to Mary Schiegel, the result of this union being 
ten children, all living. The eldest (Fred) is married and liv 
ing near Celestine ; the rest are at home. In politics Mr. Betz i& 
a Democrat. He and family are members of the Catholic Church. 

JESSE COPE was born in Knox County, Ky., September 11. 
1855, and is one of seven children born to Andrew J. and Winnie 
(Lewis) Cope, natives respectively of Kentucky and North Caro- 
lina. They were married in Kentucky and came to Indiana in 
1862. The father was in the late war about eight months, but 
became disabled and returned home. He was persecuted by the 
rebels in Kentucky, consequently he moved to Indiana at the 
above date. The mother died in Kentucky in 1862, and the 
father married again and came here. He died December 15, 
1873. Our subject was early thrown on his own resources for a 
livelihood. When about twenty-three years old he married and 
began farming, and has dealt quite extensively in the log and 
lumber business for a firm in Jasper. He owns 333 acres of land, 
100 acres under cultivation and the rest timber land. May 29, 
1879, he married Jeannette Beaty. To them were bom three 
children : John Elmer, Ada Anne and Everett E. Mr. Cope is a 



BIOGRAPIIirAL SKETCHES. <;»!' 

member of the Masoiiie lodge and a firi)i and active liepublicaji. 
He and wile are jnembers of tlie (^hristian Oliureli. 

LAFAYETTE ELLIS, brother of James Ellis, was born near 
Ellsworth. Ind.. November 3, 1<S4'.). He was educated in the dis- 
trict schools and passed his early life on his father's farm. At 
the age of nineteen he began life for himself, Avorking on a farm 
Ids father gave him. He has continued at tiiat work ever sincf 
and by industry and economy has been ([uite successful, and 
7!ow owns 120 acres of good farming land and some })ro|)ertv 
in Orange County, Ind. He was married, January 24, IHCA), to 
Sarah J. Hubbs, the result of this mucm being five chihlren: 
Willis W.. Cecil C. Albert A.. Lillie L. and an infant. Mr. Ellis 
is a member of the Masonic lodge of Newton Stewart, Ind., and 
a Republican in politics. He and wife belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In connection with farming he is ruiming a 
general merchandise store in Ellsworth, the firm being known a.s 
Ellis & Henry. 

SAMUEL R. HENRY, merchant, of Ellsworth, Ind., born 
January 13, 185(), is a native of east Tennessee. His parent-. 
Cicero and Martha (Rutherford) Henry, were born and raised in 
Tennessee and came to Indiana in 1870, settling in Orange County. 
In 1878 they moved to Dubois County, where the father became 
a tiller of the soil. His death occurred in 1879. The mother re- 
turned to Newport, Tenn., and has since kept hotel. Samuel E. 
received but little schooling, but owing to natural abilities he has 
acquired a good business education. He worked on a farm for 
some time after reaching his majority and then engaged in gen- 
eral merchandising in Ellsworth. In 1881 he bought eighty acres 
of land and began farming, which work he continued till Febru- 
ary, 1885, when he again began the mercantile business, with 
Lafayette Ellis as partner. He was married, October 5, 1879, t(> 
Elizabeth M. Kendall, to whom were born two children : Ellis ML 
and Maggie E. In politics Mr. Henry is a Republican and al- 
ways has been. He and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

JAMES M. ELLIS, born June 30, 1842, in Dubois County. 
Ind., is a son of Marvin and Permelia (Roberts) Ellis. His 
educational advantages were quite limited. When nineteen years 
old he began working on a farm in Knox County for one season, 
and then enlisted in Company A, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, 
September 25, 18(31; was mustered out February 4, 1804, and 
re-enlisted and served till the close of the war. He was before 
Vicksburg in all the battles and was severely wounded at Cham- 
pion Hill, and still suffers from the wound. Coming home from 
the war he began working on the farm. He now owns ItU) acre.-* 
of land mostly under cultivation. In connection with farmiui:; 



760 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

he runs a general merchandise store at Ellsworth. He has been 
very successful in both undertakings. He has been in the 
mercantile business since 1878. He was married, July 28, 1864, 
to Mary A. Beaty. To them were born six children — five now 
living: Marvin, Elliot E., Ida E., Thomas G. and Joseph. 
Mr. Ellis is a Kepublicaii and has been postmaster at Ellsworth 
since 1878. He and family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

LEVI K. ELLIS was born October 17, 1846, in Dubois 
County, Ind. His parents were Marvin and Parmelia (Roberts) 
Ellis, who were natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky. 
The father, who was a well respected farmer, died in 1873, and 
the mother in June 22, of the same year. Our subject passed 
his boyhood hard at work on the farm. At the age of twenty he 
started in life for himself, farming on part of his father's land. 
He remained here until his father's death, when he fell heir to 
part of the farm. He has made farming his occupation and now 
owns eighty-five acres of good land — fifty acres under cultivation 
and the rest in timber land. When the war broke out he enlisted 
in Company E, Forty-third Indiana Volunteers. June, 1865, he 
was 'discharged. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and has been three times married; first in 
1866, to Ruth Russell — result, one child, Charles W. She died 
in 1868. To his second marriage, with Mary Brown, which was 
solemnized in 1868, three children were born, two now living: 
Permelia A. and Samuel M. This wife died in 1873, when he 
took for his third wife Nancy Riley, to whom were born four 
children, two now living : James T. and William C. His present 
wife was born ia Orange County, Ind. 

ISAAC HARMON, a native of Dubois Counxy, Ind., is a son 
of Jacob and Mary (Clarke) Harmon, and was born January 19, 
1826. The parents were natives respectively of Virginia and 
Kentucky, and lived alternately in Harrison and Dubois Counties, 
moving four times. The father died in Dubois County Decem- 
ber 27, 1870, the mother died in 1858. Isaac received a limited 
education in the log schoolhouses of early times, most of his edu- 
cation being acquired since grown. He worked for some years 
on a farm and then engaged in running a carding-mill, at which 
he continued one year. The father then bought a farm, and the 
son followed farming and running a peddling wagon. He also 
tan a blacksmith shop for some time in Newton Stewart, Ind. 
February 6, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-third 
Indiana Volunteers, and was out till June, when he was dis- 
charged, owing to disability caused by measles. He has been 
farming the greater part of the time since coming from the war. 
He was married, in 1851, to Nancy A. Roberts. To them were 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 761 

born si" children, three living. The wife died in 1871, and in 
November, of the same year, he married Violet (Johnson) Kelley, 
the result of this union being five children, four now living. 
Mr. Harmon is a Democrat in politics, and was elected justice of 
the peace in 1882. 

GEOEGE HASENOUE, native of the Blue Grass State, was 
born August 15, 1841. His parents, Martin and Tharsila Hase- 
nour, were natives of Germany and came to this country in 1838, 
and after living in several places, finally settled in Dubois County, 
Ind., where the father bought a farm of 200 acres and began 
tilling the soil. Here our subject was raised to manhood, receiv- 
ing but an ordinary education, and when twenty years old en- 
listed in Company I, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers. He was 
discharged in the winter of 1863-64, having been wounded at 
Champion Hill. He was at Cumberland Gap and the first attack 
on Vicksburg. In the second fight at Vicksburg he was quite 
severely wounded and had to be discharged. He now receives a 
pension. Coming from the war, he attended school for some 
time and then began to "teach the young idea." He continued 
at this work about three years, then began the general merchan- 
dise business at Celestine, handling a complete line of goods. 
Besides this property, he owns 320 acres of good farming land. 
He was married October 15, 1867, to Eofina Schnous, to whom 
were born seven children. Mr. Hasenour is a Democrat, and he 
and family are members of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN W. KELLAMS, a prominent farmer of Dubois 
County, Ind., was born October 24, 1839. His parents. Pleasant 
and Mary (Conley) Kellams, natives of Kentucky, were the par- 
ents of thirteen children. The father was a farmer all his life 
and was among the early settlers of Hall Township. The mother 
died November 1, and the father November 5, 1882. Our sub- 
ject received a limited education owing to the undeveloped school 
system of that period. At the age of twenty years he went to 
Knox County, Ind., and worked on a farm for one year. He then 
went on a flat-boat trip to New Orleans, and worked about in this 
manner for a year or so and when the war broke out, enlisted in 
Company A, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and was discharged 
in 1864. He participated in the. battles of jCumherland Gap, 
Memphis, in all the f^crhts' before Vicksburg-. Thom^^son's Hill 
and Clianipion Mill, and otiiers of lesser note. Coming home 
from the war he bought forty acres of land and began tilling the 
soil. He has lieen very successful, now owning 443 acres of 
land, 130 under good cultivation. December 1(), 1866 he mar- 
ried Mary Eoberts, wlio has borne him five children: Wilbur, 
Charles, George, Lizzie and Eosa. He is a Democrat, and he 
and wife beloni; to the Methodist Church. 



762 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

WESLEY KELLAMS, farmer, was born March 12, 1849, in 
Dubois County; Ind. He attended the district schools in youth, 
was raised on a farm and on attaining majority began working 
for himself on the farm where he now lives. He purchased 140 
^cres of very rich bottom land and has forty acres under culti- 
vation and the rest timber land. He is also engaged in the saw- 
log business, running logs down the Patoka Eiver. His marriage 
occurred November 1, 1873, to Diana Harman, the result of their 
union being seven children, six now living: Isaac A., Pleasant S., 
Mary E., Lillie A., Omer H. and Grover C. He has been a 
Democrat all his life and is a brother of John W. Kellams (see 
his sketch for father's history). Mr. Kellams is an excellent 
citizen and good business man. 

JACOB H. $ENG of Celestine, Ind., is the oldest of twelve 
children born to Louis and Elizabeth (Hoffmann )_^eng. The 
father and mother were both natives of Germany, and came to 
the United States, settling in Indiana, where the father worked on 
the first railroad in this State. They still live in Dubois County 
where the father owns about 260 acres of laud. Here our sub- 
ject spent his boyhood and at the age of eighteen years, began 
working for himself, learning the blacksmith's trade. He worked 
at this business for about twelve years and then engaged in general 
merchandising in Celestine, at which he has continued ever since. 
He also has a farm of 120 acres which he runs in connection with 
his store. May 5, 1874, he married Elizabeth Buchart. To them 
were born five children, three now living: Katie M., John L. and 
Frank J. In politics Mr. Leng is a Democrat and an earnest 
worker for his party. In 1884 he was elected trustee of Hall 
Township and is now serving in that capacity. He and family 
are members of "the Catholic Church. 

ANTHONY MILLER, son of Charles and Caroline Miller, 
was bom February 24, 1819, in Germany. The father was 
wealthy, owning a fine farm and was a farmer and weaver. AVhen 
our subject was two years old his mother died ; he remained with 
his father in Germany, where he was well educated, until he was 
nineteen years old when he came to America in 1839, landing at 
Baltimore. He was eighty-two days on the journey owing to 
severe storms. He worked as a weaver until February, 1840, 
when he came to Dubois County and worked in brickyards. In 
1853 he begau his career as a farmer and has succeeded well, 
now owning eighty acres of good land. He was married in Jan- 
uary, 1844, to Clara Ward, who was born and raised in Germany. 
They ware the parents of nine children — only five of whom are 
now liying: Anthony F., Charles, Leopold, Mathias and Frank. 
The wife came to the United States when ouly fourteen years old, 
in 1839. Mr, Miller is a Democrat and he and family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 16S 

THOMAS J. NOLAN, teacher and farmer, was born Sep- 
tember 27. 1844, in Warrick County, Ind, son of Timothy and 
Elizabeth (Stukey) Nolan, the father a native of Ireland and 
the mother of Ohio. Timothy Nolan came to America inl83U; 
after about four years of unsettled life settled in Warrick County, 
where he afterward married. He died February 18, 1881, and 
the mother in 1873. Thomas J. received a very limited educa- 
tion, knowing nothing of arithmetic until after twenty -one years 
of age. but by his own unwearied efforts he has now a good edu- 
cation and has been a teacher ever since 1869, meeting with 
excellent success. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Com- 
pany A. Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers and at .the end of the 
year was transferred to the artillery service and served three years. 
He participated in the battles of Cumberland Gap; Port Gibson. 
Champion Hill, seige and surrender of Vicksburg and numerous 
other engagements. At the close of the war he began teaching 
and working on a farm which he had purchased in White River 
bottom. He now owns 108 acres of rich bottom land and is do- 
ing well. He was married, September 24, 1871, to Elizabeth 
Ellis, who has borne him eight children, seven now living: El- 
mer E. (deceased) and Elda J., who were twins; Verner, Floria, 
Oscar, James and Charles (twins), and an infant. In politic Mr. 
Nolan is a Republican, and has been notary public since 188S- 
He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. 

EGID SCHNAUS, farmer, was born August 29, 1843, ia 
Germany. He came with his parents, John and Mary Bchnans^ 
to the United States in 1836. They landed at New Orleans, and 
afterward located in Dubois County, Ind., where they have sifioe 
lived. The father has been a farmer all his life, and his son 
Egid, follows the same vocation. His advantages for an educatiou 
were limited, but his natural abilities overbalr.nce this. He 
remained with his parents until twenty-two years old, when he 
launched out in business for himself, hauling goods from Celes- 
tine to New Albany and Troy, in which occupation he continued 
for nearly three years. He then began farming on 160 acres of 
land, forty acres being given him by his father, and is very suc- 
cessful. He also owns a one-half interest in the Celestine Saw- 
mill. November 9, 1869, he married Mary Buchart, daughter of 
Edward Buchart, the result of this union being six children: 
Caroline, Lizzie, Joseph, Anna, Rosina and Allius. He and 
his family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a 
Democrat. 

JACOB SANG, Sr., was born December 26, 1828, in Wheel- 
ing, W. Va., son of Francis and Mary (Hildebrand) Sang, who 
came from Germany to America in 1827. They were eleven weeks 
on the journey, the vessel having been shattered by a storm wh»»!S 



764 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

in sight of land and driven ont to sea, taking them about five 
weeks to get back. They were out of water and provisions for 
nearly a Aveek, and Avere almost starved when they reached land. 
They lived for some time in Wheeling, then in Cincinnati, then 
in Madison, Ind., and finally moved to Celestine, where they 
began farming and li;ive since lived. The father died in 18(53; 
the mother still lives with our subject on the old home farm. 
Jacob followed carpentering for some time, but now tills his 
farm of 120 acres. He was married, April 10, 1850, to Barbara 
Nodler. They became the parents of eleven children, nine now 
living. He is a Republican and worked hard for his party in the 
State election. - He has been subjected to some annoyance on 
account of his political belief, but he stands firmly by his party. 
He was in Government service in time of war, but was enlisted as 
a regular soldier. 

JOHN SCHAAF was bovn May 15, 18:31:, in Nassau, Ger- 
many, son of Frederick and Barbara (Opper) Schaaf, who were 
the parents of four children, and came to America in 1854, set- 
tling in Harrison Township, Dubois Co., Ind. The father died 
in 1883 and the mother in 18(J7. John remained in Germany 
with his father till the age of sixteen years. He received a good 
education in his fatherland, and attended night schools in Ameri- 
ca for about two months. He worked at cabinet-making before 
and after coming to America, and at the age of twenty-five he 
started a shop of his own at Lanesville, Harrison Co., Ind., 
remaining there four or five years. In 1870 he moved to Celes- 
tine and engaged in the same business. Two years later he be- 
gan dealing in furniture. He is now a carpenter, cabinet-maker 
and furniture dealer, the only one in Celestine. He Avas married 
in 1858 toTheresn Lygast, to whom were born six children: John 
A., Andrew H., Mary T., Mary A., George E. and Conrad A. 
The four youngest are at home. The second one is attending St. 
Meinrad's Seminary with the intention of becoming a priest. Mr. 
Schaaf is a Democrat in politics, and he and his family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 765 



COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP. 

JACKSON BEIDGES, a prominent citizen of Columbia 
Township, Dubois Co., Incl, was born January 31, 1849, and is 
the eldest son of Edmond and Alsada (Pulse) Bridges, who were 
born in the South. About the year 1S83 they located'in Colum- 
bia Township, where the mother died March 28, 1883, after 
spending a useful life. Our subject received a good common 
school education and lived with his parents, on the farm, until 
his marriage to Miss Sylvina M. Putnam, September 12, 1866. 
Mrs. Bridges is a daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Pixley) 
Putnam, of Lawi-ence County, 111., and was born February 1, 
1848. She has presented Mr. Bridges with seven children: 
Sylvester (deceased), William E., Charley E., Mary (deceased), 
Nellie, Elizabeth E. and Sadie Florence. Mr. Bridges is a lead- 
ing and active farmer, and owns 160 acres of well improved land. 
He is a warm Kepublican, and he and wife are members of the 
Christian Church and worthy citizens. 

KILEY BURTON was born in Lawrence County, Ind., 
March 1, 1838, he being the second son of Younger and Mary 
(Higginbotham) Burton, who were natives of North Carolina and 
Georgia, respectively. They were married in Louisville, Ky., and 
soon after settled in Lawrence County, Ind.^ about 1834, where 
they remained until 1856, and then moved to Dubois County and 
located in Columbia Township, where they now reside. Our sub- 
ject was reared and educated by his parents and remained at 
home until his marriage, which occurred September 14, 1884. 
He married Bell Pullom, daughter of Horner and Martha Pul- 
lom, of Orange County, Ind. Mr. Burton is an enterprising 
farmer and stock raiser and owns 426 acres of good land, mostly 
well improved with good substantial buildings. In politics he is 
a warm Democrat and was elected township trustee in the spring 
of 1884, on the Democratic ticket, which office he still holds to 
the satisfaction of the people. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

WILLIAM COLLINS, who was born February », ioz\), is a 
son of William and Elizabeth (Wineinger) Collins, who were 
natives of Tennessee, where they were also married. They im- 
migrated to Indiana in early times, and settled in Columbia 
Township, Dubois County, in 1826, where they afterward lived. 
The father was an earnest member of the Regular Baptist 



TBG JUSTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

('liurcli, and an excellent citizen. Our subject received such ettu- 
eation as could be obtained in the sc^hools of his boyhood, and r^- 
mained at home aiding his father on the farm until his marriage 
with Christina Wineinger, June H, 1845). To them were born 
these children: Mary M , Felix, John, Timanza (wife of Nicholas 
Howe), Sarah and Betsey. Mr. C:!ollins, by good management 
and industry, owns a good property of KU) acres of excellent 
land with good buildings and improvements. He is a stanch 
Democrat and a })rominent and useful citizen. 

NELSON HAKRIS, a prominent citizen of Columbus Town- 
ship, Dubois Co., Ind., and native of the same, was born Se})tem- 
ber 5, 1848: he was the eldest chihl in a family of three — Nelson. 
America and Basil B. — l)orn to William and Hester (Simmons) 
Harris, natives of Kentucky and Indiana. They were married in 
Dubois County, where they made their home and where the father 
died. The mother yet lives c-n the old place with our subject. 
The father served four terms as townshi]) trustee, and was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in 
politics. Our subject received a limited education, and has al- 
ways remained on the home farm. March 3, 1870, he was mar- 
ried to Charity Weaver, born May 12. 1855, daughter of Wesley 
and Elizabeth (Haymer) Weaver. To them were born five chil- 
dren: William N., Sarah E., Mary E., Solomon E. and Albert 
D. Mr. Harris owns 240 acres of land, well improved, and is an 
industrious farmer, well known, and respected by his neighbors. 
He is a Republican in politics. 

GEORGE W. KESTERSON, a prominent young farmer of 
Columbia Township, Dubois Co., Ind., was born August 6, 1861; 
he is the only child of Alfred and Martha E. (Beaty) Kesterson, 
who were born and married in Dubois County, where they re- 
mained until the Rebellion, when Mr. Kesterson enlisted in Com- 
pany G., Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; he was killed 
in battle, at Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1802; the mother married 
John W. Simmons, who is now deceased, and still resides in 
Columbia Township. Our subject, George W., made his home 
with his mother and step-father, and received a good common 
school education. He was married, March 9, 1881, to Mis.s 
Lucinda Nicholson, daughter of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Coon- 
rad) Nicholson. To them were born three children: Charles C.^ 
William F. and Ida E. Mrs. Kesterson was born November 13, 
1863. They own a good farm of eighty acres, and are energetic 
ftnd enterprising young p^)ple, Mr. Kesterson is a Democrat in 
politics. 

DAVID C. LANE was born September 20, 1846, and waj» 
one of a family of three children — Jesse A., Henry and David 
C. — born to Mordica and Mary (Allen) Lane, natives, respectively. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 767 

©f North Carolina and Tennessee. They were married in Orange 
County, Ind., where they remained until 1879, when they moved 
to Dubois County, Ind., and lived there until their deaths. The 
mother was an earnest and useful member of the Christian 
Church. Our subject was reared and educated by his parents, 
and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred June 
11, 1863; his wife was Miss Mary McGrew, daughter of Wash- 
ington and Susan (Archer) McGrew, of Orange County, Ind. 
Eight children were born to this union: William M., Emma J., 
Lavina, Andi'ew, Zerilda, Martha, Sarah A. and Charley H. 
Mrs. Lane was born in 1845, and is a faithful member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lane owns 340 acres of ex- 
cellent land, well improved, and is a good farmer and stock 
raiser, and by energy and industry has acquired all his property 
since his marriage. 

WILLIAM A. LINE, M. D., was born January 12, 1844, and 
is a son of Jolm and Phoebe (Pierson) Line, who were natives of 
Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. The father's parents came 
from England and settled in Tennessee. Our subject's father 
made his home in Orange County, Ind,, where he died in 1854. 
He was a colonel in the State militia, and county surveyor of Or- 
ange County, and filled several other minor ofl&ces. His wife still 
resides on the old farm in Orange County and is a member of the 
Baptist Church. Our subject was educated by his parents and 
remained with them until his marriage. At tlie age of eighteen 
he began the study of medicine with Drs. Schoonover and Ellis 
of Hardinsburg, Ind. About two years after he entered the med- 
ical college of Louisville, Ky., where he remained one term. Ee- 
turning home he was united in marriage to Margaret Ellis, De- 
cember, 1864. To them were born two children: John C. and 
William M. For his second wife he took Mrs. Mary (Radclifife) 
Young, and to their union three children were born : Mary. Fran- 
cis and August. His wife dying January 1, 1881, he married 
Jennie Wininger, August 8, 1881. Dr. Line began practicing 
medicine in the town of Hillham in 1865, where he remained 
until 1883. Since then he has given up his profession to some 
extent and is now running a general store, and is doing a thriving 
business. He owns 200 acres of land, well improved. The Doctor 
is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the central committee of 
Dubois County, and he is well and favorably known in his neigh- 
borhood. His present wife belongs to the Baptist Church. 

THOMAS McCUNE, a native of Kentucky, born March 7, 
1829, is the youngest in a family of twelve children born to 
James and Keziah McCune. The father came to Orange County, 
Ind., in 1832, and later came to Dubois County where he died. 
His wife was a member of the Baptist Church and died in La\f- 



768 HISTORV OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

rence County. Our subject was left an orphan when about 
twelve years of age and made his way as best he could, working 
by the day and month until his marriage to Miss Lucinda Par- 
sons, April 5, 1850. She is a daughter of Eobert and Jane Par- 
sons, and is the mother of nine children: Jane (deceased ). Mary, 
Elizabeth, Sarah A. (deceased), Lucinda. Missouri, Viola. Rob- 
ert and James. Mr. McCune owns eighty acres of land, we] lim- 
proved, and is a good substantial citizen of Dubois County. In 
politics he is a warm Democrat, and his wife is a member of the 
Christian Church. 

DAVID S. MORGAN was born August 5, 1834. in Orange 
County, Ind., and is the eldest son in a family of ten children 
jorn to Samuel G. and Mary (Taylor) Morgan, natives respec- 
tively of North Carolina and Indiana. They were married in Or- 
ange County, Ind., and resided there the rest of their lives. 
They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
the father was a minister for about fifty years. Our subject re- 
ceived a liberal education and made his home with his parents 
mtil his marriage. October 19, 1853, he led to Hymens altar 
Vdaline McPheron, to whom one son was born, namely: Will- 
am. Mrs. Morgan was born February 17, 1838, and died Sep- 
tember 12, 1854. For his second wife Mr. Morgan took Rachel 
Horton, April 20, 1854, who has presented him with eleven chil- 
■Iren: Alfred, Samuel, John J., Fidelia E., Mary E.. Milly J., 
David G., Charles, Adaline I., Rachel M. and Pleasant. Mr. 
Morgan owns 245 acres of good land mostly under cultivation, 
and is a Republican in politics. In the late war he enlisted in 
Company G, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served 
his country for over three years. He is well and favorably known 
throughout the oounty, and he and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Courch. 

JOHN W. NICHOLSON, a native of Orange County, Ind., 
was born December 7, 1836. He is the eldest son in a family of 
eleven children born to Harvey and Maria (Connel) Nicholson, 
natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. They set- 
tled in Orange County, and, about 1840, located in Dubois 
County, Columbia Township, where they spent the remainder 
of their lives. The father held the office of county com- 
missioner two terms, and was township trustee under the old 
school law. The subject of our sketch received as fair an educa- 
tion as could be obtained in the schools of his boyhood, and 
January 31, 1861, he was united in marriage to Catherine Mc- 
Iver, born January 20, 1831, and daughter of Kenneth and 
Elizabeth (Cox) Mclver. To this union seven children were 
born: Benjamin F., Attosey H., Thomas S., John W., Joseph 
S. and two children deceased. Mr. Nicholson owns forty acres 



BTOGRAPmCAL SKETCHKS. 76'.^ 

of laiul. well improved. He is a Democrat in politic s ;iml Jia^ 
served as constable and notary public in his township, and is well 
respected by his neighbors. Mrs. Nicholson is a member of tlie 
Christian Church. 

BENJAMIN OWEN was liorn February 20, 1824. in Hawkins 
County, Tenn. He is a son of AVilliam and Phoebe (Luna ) Oweu. 
native's of Tennessee, who lived and died in their native State. 
Our subject received a limited education, and during the Mexicai) 
war he enlisted for five years, but served only one year. No- 
vember 5, 1849, he was united in nmrriage to Miss Adaline 
Crowder, born July 19, 1828. daughter of Jacob and Husaii 
(Henley) Crowder. To this union were born eleven children — 
seven of whom are living: Susan J., Martha E., William P.. 
Benjamin B.. Thomas S., Commodore P., and Orlena A. Mr. 
Owen is an extensive farmer and stock raiser, and owns 508 
acres of fertile land, well improved. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. August 31, 1801, he enlisted in Company P, Thirty- 
eighth Regular Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was veteranized 
in January, 1804, at Rossville. Ga. He was first lieutenant 
of his company, and a tried and true soldier ; he and his wife are 
members of tlie Christian Church, and he is well and favorably 
known throughout the county. 

JOHN PENDLAY, a native of Lincoln County Ky.. was 
born June 1, 1831, and is the second son of Joshua and Jane A. 
(Darter) Pendlay, natives of Virginia, where they were married. 
They soon after settled in Kentucky, where the father died. Some 
years later the mother came to Indiana and died in Lawrence 
County of that State. Our subject received a limited education, 
and followed farming as an occupation. February 2, 1854. he 
wedded Matilda J., daughter of Stephen and Susan ( Higlieu- 
botham) Owens of Wayne County, Ky. This lady has presented 
her husband with ten children, namely: Giles (deceased), An- 
drew J., Nancy D., Samuel W. L., Lemuel R., Martin S., Theo- 
dore, Alonzo, Malinda F. and Nora B. Mr. Pendlay is a wide- 
awake farmer and owns 279 acres of first-class land. During the 
Rebellion his patriotic feelings were aroused, and he enlisted in 
Company B, One Hundred and Forty-Fifth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, January 20, 1864. February 1, 18()5,he was discliarged, 
owing to expiration of service. Mr. Pendlay is a Democrat in 
politics and an esteemed citizen. 

BENJAMIN A. SIMMONS was born in Columbia Township. 
Dubois Co., Ind., March 11, 1845. He was one of five children 
born to Benjamin and Hester Simmons, natives qi Washington 
County, Ind. Soon after marriage they settled in Columbia 
Township, Dubois County, where the father died in 1844. The 
mother is still living and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 



770 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

€lnirch. She was married twice. Her last husband being Will- 
iam Harris. Our subject was raised by his mother and step-father 
and remained with them until the breaking out of the Rebellion, 
when he enlisted in his country's cause November 14, 1864, in 
Company E, Twenty-fourth Regular Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
He was discharged at Galveston, November 17, 1865. Returning 
home he married Elizabeth Harmon, born December 25, 1843, and 
daughter of Asa and Nancy (Sullivan) Harmon, of Orange Coun- 
ty, Ind. Their nuptials were celebrated February 11, 1866. Six 
children were born to this union: America T., William G., 
Charles N., Henry S. John W. and Porter A. Mr. Simmons is a 
farmer and stock raiser, and owns 280 acres of land with good 
buildings and improvements. He is a Republican and has served 
the township six years as assessor. He is a well known and re- 
respected citizen, and he and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

WILLIAM S. WINEINGER was born in Virginia, Novem- 
ber 30, 1828, and was the eldest child of a family of fifteen chil- 
dren born to John A. and Catherine (Wineinger) Wineinger, who 
were natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. They were 
married in Virginia and came to Orange County, Ind., in 1837, 
and in 1855 located in Hillham, and some years later settled near 
Jasper, where he and v/ife remained till their deaths. He was a 
good and honest citizen, and he and wife were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was educated by his 
parents and remained at home until he reached his majority, He 
was united in marriage with Miss Diana Roberts, December 6, 
1849. To this union eleven children were born: John A. (de- 
ceased), Nancy J., George W., Lydia A. (deceased), Lucy E., 
Martin L., Sarah *E., Charles W., Mary C, Stephen S. and Will- 
iam K. Mr. Wineinger is quite an extensive farmer and stock 
raiser, and is well and favorably known throughout the neighbor- 
hood. He has 440 acres of excellent land, partially improved 
with fair buildings. He is a Republican in politics, and he and 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Wineinger gave about $800 to the construction of the church, 
and has always taken a great interest in its wellfare. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 771 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



DAVID G. ABELL (deceased), Avas a native of Crawford 
County, Ind., born December 10, 1829. He was one of thirteen 
children born to Francis and Elizabeth Abell. When he was six 
years old his father died, and he came with his mother to Dubois 
County. They located near Ferdinand where they lived about 
eight years after which they removed to Jackson Township and 
bought the farm upon which he resided until his death, April 28, 
1881. He was a very successful farmer, and at his death, he 
owned 220 acres of land which is now managed by his son Jasper 
N. In 1851 he married Jane Dameron, who died two years later. 
He chose for his second wife Katharine Bretz, a native of Ger- 
many, whom he married in October, 1855. To their union were 
born ten children, Jasper N., born September 10, 1856; Maggie, 
born August 16, 1858; Mary E., deceased; David, born Janu- 
ury 29, 1862; Anna, born June 6, 1864; William T., born De- 
cember 10, 1865; Sarah, deceased; Jacob, born June 30, 1869; 
George E., born March 5, 1871, and Peter S., born NovemlDer 23, 
1873. Mrs. Abell is a member of the Christian Church, and the 
family is universally respected and esteemed by the community 
in which they live. 

GEOKGE BRENNER, a native of this county, was born in 
Jackson Township, July 8, 1845. He is one of two surviving 
children born to John and Anna (Miller) Brenner, both natives 
of Germany. The father, who had been previously married, 
came to America in 1840, and located in Harrisburg, Penn., 
where he worked at his trade of shoe-making for about three 
years. His wife died in that city, and he married the mother of 
our subject. After working one year in Pittsburgh he came to 
Dubois County, and located on a farm in Jackson Township, 
where he died in 1863. George was reared at home, receiving 
only a limited amount of instruction in the schools. In 1864 he 
went to Tell City, Ind., and worked at brick-molding the greater 
part of the time for several years. In 1869 he opened a brick- 
yard at Ferdinand, this county, which he operated for a short 
time. He was also a resident for a short time of Owensboro, 
Ky. In 1872 he came to St. Anthony, where he was engaged for 
three years in the retail liquor business. He has since been en- 
gaged in operating a saw-mill. In connection with his other 
business, he has had considerable experience as a solicitor, sell- 



772 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

iug papers, sewing machines, fruit trees, etc. November 17, 
1868, Mr, Brenner was united in marriage with Eva Gilles, by 
whom he is the father of six children, only three of whom are now 
living. They are William, Theodore and Frederick N. Mr. 
Brenner is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the well informed 
men of the township. 

PHILIP BRETZ, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, 
was born July 13, 1836, being the third of ten children born to 
the marriage of Philip J. Bretz and Ann M. E. M. Frick, also 
natives of Germany, from which country they came to the United 
States in 1840, and located on a farm in Jackson Township, Du- 
bois Co., Ind., where the father died in 1884, at the age of eighty 
years. The mother is still living. Philip remained at home un- 
til attaining his majority, receiving but little instruction in 
school. He has, however, obtained a fair education through his 
own efforts. For many years he spent the greater part of his 
time in hunting. January 4, 1879, he was united in marriage 
with Margaret Bretz, a daughter of William Bretz. He has 
since been engaged in the retail liquor business at Bretzville. 
He has three children: Charles W., P. J. Edward and Gertrude. 
Both he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In pol- 
itics he is a Democrat, and is one of the well informed men of 
the township. 

JOSEPH FRITZ, one of the enterprising farmers of Dubois 
County, was born in the county, February 14, 1843, being one 
of a family of four sons and three daughters born to the mar- 
riage of John Fritz and Mary U. Block, natives of Alsace, Ger- 
many. The father, when a young man, came to the United 
States, and located at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he worked at 
various kinds of work until about 1840. In that year he came to 
Dubois County, and bought the farm where he resided until his 
death, which occurred November 9, 1879. The mother died June 
28, 1871. Joseph was reared at home, receiving a good educa- 
tion, obtained mainly through his own efforts. September 26, 
1864, he entered the service of his country, and was enrolled in 
Company K, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which 
regiment he served until June 4, 1865. He was with Sherman 
on his famous march to the sea and through the Carolinas. 
After his return from the war he began farming on the home 
farm. He was married, January 8, 1867, to Josephine Kessler, 
a native of the county, and to them have been born eight children. 
Those living are Joseph J., Susanna C, Anna M., George, Adam, 
Frank J., Michael and Katharine. Both he and wife are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Fritz is a Demo- 
crat, and has been trustee of the township for two terms. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 773 

JACOB FRICK, a prominent farmer of Jackson Township, 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 24, 1829, being the youngest 
of six children born to John and Mary (Bollenboch) Frick. 
The father, who was? a farmer, came to America in 1847, and 
located in Dubois County, where he lived until his death in 
1856. The mother died in 1830, and Jacob was reared without 
her care, and remained ^ith his father until he was fourteen 
years of age, when he learned the blacksmith's trade, and fol- 
lowed it in his native country until 1846. In that year he came 
to the United States and worked at his trade ir Jasper, Ind., 
Louisville, Ky. and St. Louis, Mo. In 1852 he went to Cali- 
fornia as a gold seeker, and worked in the mines with fair suc- 
cess until July, 1865, when he returned to Dubois County, and 
bought the farm upon which he still resides. He now has 200 
acres of good land, well improved, February 22, 1856, he mar- 
ried Mary A. Onepaugh, a native of Ohio, who died March 28, 
1872, leaving five children: John, Sarah, Mary A., Philip and 
Jacob. July 9, 1874, he was united in marriage with Lizzie 0. 
(Risch) Hagan, by whom he is the father of six children, five of 
whom — Hammond, Otto. William, Valentine and Charles W. — are 
living. Both Mr. Frick and wife are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and are highly esteemed by the community in which they 
live. 

HENRY C. HOSENOUR, dealer in general merchandise, 
St. Anthony, began business in August, 1881, in a small room, 
which he has since enlarged. He carries a well selected stock, 
consisting of almost every article in any line of goods. He does 
about an $8,000 business annually, dealing largely in produce. 
Mr. Hosenour was born in Duboifls »Pounty in February, 1853, 
being the youngest child in a famil}^ of four sons and three 
daughters, born to the marriage of Martin Hosenour and Tharsela 
Kaeruer, both natives of Germany, from which country thejt 
came to the United States soon after their marriage. They lo- 
cated in Louisville, where they remained only a short time wheni 
they came to Dubois County, where the father died in 1861. The 
mother is still living. Henry remained at home with his mother 
until he was fourteen years old. He then worked in his brother's 
store for eleven years. July 22, 1878, he married Elizabeth 
Miller, a native of Louisville, by whom he is the father of four 
children: George W., Mary A., Elizabeth and Rosa. After his 
marriage he worked for his father-in-law on the farm until he 
came to St. Anthony, and engaged in his present business. Both 
he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN KLEM, ex-trustee of Jackson Township, is a native 
of Pittsburgh, Penn., born April 10, 1842. He is the eldest of 
nine children born to the marriage of Michael Klem and Jane 



774 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

M. Schtieider, both natives of Germany. The father, when a 
young man, came to the United States and located at Pittsburgh, 
where he worked at the stone-mason's and brick-layer's trade un- 
til about 1853, when he came with his family to Dubois County. 
He settled on a farm which he had bought some years previous, 
and upon which he still resides. The mother died about 1859, 
John was reared at home, receiving his education in the schools 
of his native State. In October, 18()1, he enlisted in Company 
I, Forty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which 
he served, participating in all its battles and marches until mus- 
tered out in November, 1864. He was present at the battles of 
Chickasaw Bluffs, Champion Hills, Vicksburg and numerous 
lesser engagements. In 1866 he bought the farm • of eighty 
acres upon which he has since resided. October 27, 1868, he 
was united in marriage with Kate Ands, a native of the county, 
and to their union have been born seven children: Michael, 
Jacob, Joseph, John J. (deceased), Frank, Mary and John M. 
Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and has served two terms as trustee of 
the township. 

FRANCIS LEISMAN, a farmer of Jackson Township, was 
born in Oldenberg, Germany, April 3, 1835, being the eldest in a 
family of six sons and three daughters born to the marriage of 
John P. Leisman and Margaret Klem, also natives of Germany. 
The father, who was a farmer, came with his family to the United 
States and located at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he remained until 
1842. In that year he came to Dubois County and located in 
Jackson Township, where he still lives. The mother died in 
October, 1850. Francis, when a boy, was sent to Pittsburgh by 
his parents in order that he might attend school. He remained 
about eighteen months, receiving instruction in both German and 
English. June 5, 1860, he was united in marriage with Chris- 
tina Berg, after which he bought the farm of eighty acres where 
he still lives. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 
They are the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are liv- 
ing. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving his second 
term as trustee of Jackson Township. 

JOHN MERKLEY, a native of Dubois County, Ind., was 
born June 21, 1847. He is one of a family of six sons and one 
daughter born to the marriage of Frank Merkley and Francis 
Hengstler, natives of Germany. The father, when a young man, 
came to the United States and located at Pittsburgh, Penn,, 
where he worked in a glass factory for eight years. He then 
came to this county and bought a farm in Ferdinand Township, 
where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1866. The 
mother is still living with her son, at the advanced age of seventy- 




A T. Fleiviing 



HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 



HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 



HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 



HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 7(0 

seven years. John was reared at home, receiving a fair education 
in the common schools. At the age of twenty-three he bought 
the farm where he now resides, and began farming for himself. 
He now has 280 acres of as good land as can be found in tlm 
township. May 1(>, 1870, Mr. Merkley was joined in marriage 
with Katharine Fisher, a native of the county and a daughter of 
Andrew Fisher. They have eight children, seven of whom are 
living. They are Andrew, Sophie, William, Joseph. Mary, Philo- 
mine and Frank E. Both he and wife are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

CHAKLES G. SCHNECK (deceased) was born in Witten^ 
berg, Germany, October 18, 1827. He was one of a family of 
four sons and an equal number of daughters born to the marriage 
of Heinrich P. Schneck and Christina Green, also natives of 
Germany, where they passed their lives. Charles G. was reared 
at home on the farm, where he remained until 1851, when he 
came to the United States and located near Jef^ersonville, Ind. 
He worked there on a farm until 1855. September IG of that 
year he was united in marriage with Sophie Spiddler, also a 
native of Wittenberg, who came to America one year previous. 
Soon after they cams to Dabais County and bought a farm in 
Hall Township, where they lived until 1861. In that year they 
bought the farm of 240 acres, where he resided until his death, 
which occurred May 15, 188-1. He was a very successful farmer, 
and occupied a high place among the enterprising men of the 
county. His death was a loss not only to his family but to the 
entire community. He was the father of five children: Henry 
P. (deceased), George W.. Paulina (now Mrs. Jacob Frick, Jr.), 
Mary and Sophie. Henry P. was a young man of rare ability 
and gave promise of a brilliant career. He graduated at the 
Louisville Medical College, taking the first honors of the class of 
1883. His death occurred May 1, 1884. 

JOHN F. SCHURZ, a prominent farmer of Dubois County, is 
a native of the county, born March 5, 1852, being the eldest of a 
family of three sons and six daughters born to George F. and 
Charlotte (Bretz) Schurz, both natives of Germany. The father, 
at the age of sixteen, came to the United States, where he followed 
steamboating on the Mississippi and its tributaries for .eight 
years being fiLrst mate during a part of that time. For about two 
years he was also on an ocean steamer. After leaving that busi- 
ness he worked at various places until about 1840 or 1850, when 
he came to Dubois County and located near the present site of 
Bretzville, where he opened a general merchandise store which he 
conducted in partnership with Phillip Frick for a short time. He 
then bought the farm when our subject now lives, and was en- 
gaged in a mercantile business there until his death which oc- 



776 HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY. 

cuired May 17, 1871. He served for a time in the Mexican war, 
and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. The mother died 
February 24, 1809. John F. was raised at home, receiving his 
education in the common schools, and also attended the Evansville 
Commercial College for a time. In 1873 he engaged in a gen- 
eral merchandise business at Bretzville with J. N. Deindorfer, 
but continued only a few months. November 29, 1875, he was 
united in marriage with A. M. Bartley, a native of Dubois 
County. They have since resided on the home farm. They have 
one child, John F. J., born August 12, 1876. Mr. Schurz is a 
Democrat in politics and was for four years a justice of the 
peace. 

CYRIN THOMAS, Reverend Father of St. Anthony's Church, 
was born at Marion, Grant Co., Ind., Januaiy 1, 1853, being the 
sixth of thirteen children born to the marriage of Enoch G. 
Thomas and Jane Votaw. The Thomas family is one of 
the oldest and largest families in the country; is of Welsh 
descent, and the earliest trace of it in this country is found in 
South Carolina. The first settlement made by the family in In- 
diana was in Wayne County in 1810, when John Thomas came 
with his family from his native State and settled near Richmond. 
A large number of his descendants are still residents of that 
county. Enoch G. Thomas, when a child, removed with his par- 
ents to Grant County, Ind., where he grew to manhood, was mar- 
ried and lived until 1857. In that year he moved to Wabash 
county, and in 1870, to Huntington, Ind., where he now resides. 
He is a practical miller and mill-wright, and is at present the 
president of the Huntington Mill Company. Of the maternal 
ancestors of the subject, the earliest record is of one Isaac Votaw, 
who was descended from French ancestors, and was born in Penn- 
sylvania, January 29, 1744. He married Ann Smith, in Bucks 
County, Penn., February 11, 1768. Both were numbered among 
the peaceful followers of George Fox, and their maiTiage was sol- 
emnized according to the ceremonies of the Quaker Church. 
Cyrin Thomas was reared at home, receiving a good general edu- 
cation. He attended South Wabash Academy about two years, 
«nd the Rural Home Institute at Huntington one year. In 1874 
he entered St. Meinrad's College when he was ordained to the 
priesthood in 1880. The next two years was prefect of that 
institution, and in September, 1883, he came to St Anthony. He 
is BOW very acceptably engaged in ministering to a congregation 
of ninety-six families, and is pushing on to completion a new 
«hurch, a history of which appears in this work. 



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